D'Or denies Benbaun at Longchamp

Marchand D'Or returned to his brilliant best on his first outing for 2000 Guineas-winning trainer Mikel Delzangles as he came from the ruck to claim the five-furlong Prix De Saint-Georges at Longchamp.

The grey speedster was campaigned with great success by Freddy Head previously and travelled to England in 2008 to land the July Cup at Newmarket.

After an interrupted campaign last year, the seven-year-old made his debut for Delzangles on the French Guineas undercard and charged through the field to deny the admirable Kevin Ryan-trained Benbaun by a head.

Delzangles said: "He is back to form. He has proved before that he is a champion and I am very happy to see that.

"He is going to improve for the run and we wanted to see if his fighting spirit is still there, and it obviously is.

"A long break has done him good and he is a possibility to go to Royal Ascot."

Paddy Power trimmed Marchand D'Or to 16-1 from 25s for the King's Stand Stakes - in which he finished sixth two years ago - while leaving him unchanged for the Golden Jubilee over the flying five at 20-1.

Liliside held the late thrust of English 1000 Guineas winner Special Duty to bag the French equivalent, the Poule D'Essai Des Pouliches.

Criquette Head-Maarek's Newmarket victor came from virtually last to challenge inside the final furlong but Liliside proved up to the battle.

Trained by Francois Rohaut and ridden by Jean-Bernard Eyquem, Liliside just prevailed in a photo finish, although a stewards' inquiry was immediately called after a rough race.

Ayun Tara set the early pace with Stephane Pasquier opting to hold up Special Duty, who was awarded the Newmarket race in the stewards' room.

He was still towards the back of the pack turning for home and he had to bide his time as it got a bit tight for room on the bend.

Joanna had taken over upfront at this point but Liliside was really starting to motor, although she had nowhere to run and Eyquem appeared to push his way out.

Full Steam looked to be impeded by his manoeuvre with Special Duty also finding space hard to come by in behind.

That move allowed Liliside to fly down the straight but once Pasquier got a run, Special Duty stepped up a gear and she was eating up the ground in the closing stages.

However, Special Duty just could not get there in time and was edged out by a head with Rohaut's second runner, Baine, claiming third.

British raider Lady Of The Desert had no luck in running, being blocked more than once before finishing out of the frame.

Head-Maarek felt Special Duty was the moral victor and believes she would account for the winner if the pair were to clash again.

She said: "What do you do when you're drawn 10 and you don't want to go in front?

"I think she was the best filly in the race and if she had got a better draw, she would have been very close to the winner.

"She is a fighter but couldn't quite get there when she needed to and I can take the winner any time I want.

"I think she deserves a vacation now so Royal Ascot is unlikely but we may consider sending her to Deauville."

Brian Meehan, trainer of Lady Of The Desert, thought his filly would have at least made the frame granted a clear run.

"If all had gone right under these circumstances, then I think she would have won," he said.

"She was stopped three times. She was firstly shut in once, she got out and she was stopped and then at a vital time of the race, she was nearly brought down.

"We need to discuss plans but I imagine Royal Ascot will be next."

Lady Of The Desert's owner Jaber Abdullah was philosophical in defeat.

He added: "We're always unlucky at Longchamp. We know our horse is good but accidents can stop anything, cars or horses.

"Kieren (Fallon) said she was stopped during the race but accidents do happen and we know we have a good filly."

Rohaut said: "I thought Baine was the unlucky horse of the race and should have won.

"I have won this race on a disqualification before (Tie Black in 2006) so I know the stewards have a difficult job to do and I'm going to let them do it.

"I don't know what we will do with the two of them now but they will probably have a break and then one or both of them with go to the Prix d'Astarte."

Liliside's owner Anthony Forde added: "This is worse than winning. I don't know how the result will go but she is a good filly.

"I came here thinking she would be third, fourth or fifth as she had never run on dry ground like this before and has only won on heavy."

It was later confirmed that Liliside had been disqualified by the stewards and placed sixth.

Special Duty has now been awarded a second Classic success in the stewards' room with Baine promoted to second place and Joanna taking third.

Rosanara is now officially fourth with Lady Of The Desert fifth following the incident.

Lope De Vega gave trainer Andre Fabre his fifth success in the Poule D'Essai Des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) when foiling British raider Dick Turpin.

Maxime Guyon brought the son of Shamardal with a late run to hit the front in the final furlong and hold the determined challenge of Richard Hannon's runner.

Pacemakers Rajsaman and Forum Magnum set the gallop but in the straight both Classic Colori and Meezaan made brief bids for glory until the two principals took charge.

Lope De Vega just got first run and was always holding the Richard Hughes-ridden Dick Turpin, who also finished second in the British version at Newmarket. Shamalgan was third.

Guyon said: "The horse never stopped and they went a very good pace.

"He is certainly a very good horse and he might stay the distance of the Prix du Jockey-Club (10 furlongs)."

Connections of Dick Turpin were delighted with his run and a trip to Royal Ascot is now on the agenda.

Richard Hannon jnr, the trainer's son and assistant, said: "He's run a super race and has now finished second in two Guineas.

"He's an exceptionally good horse but there are no excuses and we will now go and take our chance in the St James's Palace."