Group 1 targets await New Ground after French outsider's blinding run to finish fourth in the Derby

Derby fourth New Ground looks to have a bright future ahead of him after justifying the decision of Juddmonte and trainer Henri-Francois Devin to supplement at a cost of £75,000.

Alexis Pouchin found himself trapped wide aboard New Ground – an unconsidered 50-1 chance with British punters unfamiliar with his French form – but he conjured a powerful run from his mount down the outside to finish a length and a neck behind Tennessee Stud in third and runner-up Lazy Griff at the end of his first try at a mile and a half. 

"He ran a very good race and we were very pleased," said Devin. "Obviously he didn't get the easiest of runs but the horse showed up, as he always does, and he ran all the way to the line. 

"He showed he stayed the mile and a half really well and it was a great experience."

Henri-Francois Devin: sees a bright future for Derby fourth New GroundCredit: Zuzanna Lupa

Pouchin and Dylan Browne McMonagle on Tennessee Stud found themselves alongside one another and in the rear third of the field coming down the hill, while New Ground was bumped by the weakening Damysus as he was being asked to challenge. 

"He looked like he'd been drawn close to some of the fancied runners, but none of those took him into the race and he was quite isolated coming up the centre in the home stretch," said Devin. "I think that in different circumstances we could have been a bit closer at the finish, though Lambourn was a worthy winner."

Devin said there had been no discussion with the Juddmonte principals as to New Ground's next target, but he is looking forward to further Group 1 assignments at a mile and a half, describing the Grand Prix de Paris as "the logical next step," while not ruling out the possibility that the Irish Derby could enter calculations.

Midak's trainer Francis Graffard blamed the ground for his underwhelming Derby runCredit: Edward Whitaker

The other French-trained runner, Midak, was backed down to 9-1 before the off but, having travelled like a potential winner, he faded into tenth under Mickael Barzalona. 

Trainer Francis Graffard was inclined to blame the rain-softened ground – an unknown for the lightly raced son of Footstepsinthesand beforehand – rather than any lack of stamina.

"He had the perfect trip and the horse was in a perfect position," said Graffard. "When he was asked to pick up he didn’t like the ground. You can see it from the result, all the first five have strong performances on testing ground. 

"My horse didn’t handle it and when I saw Christophe Soumillon’s horse [Lazy Griff] picking up, I knew what was about to happen."

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