Reliable Man flies to French Derby glory

Report: France, Sunday

Chantilly: Prix Du Jockey Club (Group 1) 1m2½f 3yo colts and fillies

RELIABLE MAN gave Alain de Royer-Dupre his sixth win in the French Derby as he flew home under Gerald Mosse to stretch his unbeaten record to three.

The sonof Dalakhani was taking a huge step up in company, having won minor events here and at Saint-Cloud, but he took it fully in his stride as he overcame a troublesome passage in the home straight to catch Bubble Chic half a furlong out. Favourite Baraan finished third.

The field went at a furious pace for much of the race with FrankieDettori aboard Casamento leading them along, his every move was covered by Ryan Moore on Roderic O'Connor. However, that pair paid the price for going so quickly on their first start over this longer trip and they were swamped late on as those stacking up behind them finished full of running.

Bubble Chic, who had finished second to Pour Moi in the Prix Gruffulhe, looked like being the second Derby winner to come out of that race as he hit the front under Ioritz Mendizabal a furlong from home, however Reliable Man took off after being switched out from behind a wall of horses.

Royer-Dupre said: "He's a horse of great quality. We decided on coming here after he won his first race at Saint-Cloud.

"He's got a lot of class, but it's all still very new to him. We'll probably aim at the Grand Prix de Paris next with him."

The passage of Baraan was even more problematic than that of Reliable Man and having been tailed off at one stage he took forever to get going. Stan James clearly expect him to get the better of the winner if they line up in the Arc. They go 8-1 (from 20) Baraan with Reliable Man now a 12-1 chance (from 33.).   

In the immediate aftermath of the race, trainer Aidan O'Brien was left feeling that the trip may have been beyond Roderic O'Connor. He said: "He got very warm, but I'm not making excuses.

"It's possible he didn't stay, definitely possible, without saying for sure. We'll go home and have a think. It's a hard race to work out at the moment."

Colombian, a Chester maiden winner for John Gosden, ran a huge race to finish fourth. His rider William Buick said: "Heran a very good race, he's still learning, but he'd probably be better with a bit of cut."