'The Breeders' Cup could be next' - Rougir denies Dettori in Opera thriller

If the Prix de l'Opera was meant to serve as a comedown after a spectacular Arc the key participants certainly did not read the script as Rougir prevailed in a thrilling finish to provide French trainer Cedric Rossi with a first Group 1 success.

Frankie Dettori had been in pole position to claim a second victory of the afternoon on Prix Jean Romanet winner Grand Glory only to be collared on the line by the three-year-old Rougir, who flourished in the testing underfoot conditions to fly home from the back of the field.

The pair crossed the line almost in tandem, and after a lengthy examination of the photo-finish Rougir was declared the winner by a nose under Maxime Guyon. She could now look to emulate last year's Opera winner Tarnawa in carrying her form on to the Breeders' Cup.

This was the culmination of a long season for Rougir, which has seen her compete in many of the top French fillies' contests without getting her nose in front.

Maxime Guyon: the French jockey guided Rougir to a last-gasp victory at LongchampCredit: Edward Whitaker

It also caps a superb campaign for Rossi, whose prolific stayer Skazino was fourth in Saturday's Cadran, and he said: "She wasn't drawn ideally, but she is just phenomenal.

"The Breeders' Cup could be next. The faster they go the better for her. She wants to go a mile pace, but stays 2,000 metres. America should suit her and she goes on any ground, as all the good ones do."

He added: "She has not been beaten far several times when there hasn't been enough pace on this year, and fortunately it went our way here.

Grand Glory confirmed the promise of her breakthrough victory in the Prix Jean Romanet in August, and her trainer Gianluca Bietolini was disappointed but magnanimous after a finish which was almost a carbon copy of her Deauville success.

He said: "I'm disappointed for the mare who is so brave and who has run a spectacular race. Dettori rode her magnificently. We won a Prix Jean Romanet by a nose and have lost here by the same. That's racing."

3.50 Longchamp Sunday: Prix de l'Opera full result

The James Fanshawe-trained favourite Audarya, looking to improve from her third place last year, had looked the likely winner entering the home straight as she cruised into contention under a motionless Ioritz Mendizibal.

However, she could not maintain her challenge and faded to finish fourth, while Aidan O'Brien's French Oaks winner Joan Of Arc disappointed in tenth.

Read more from Arc day:

Marcel Boussac: 'It's ugly but it's worthwhile' – Oisin Murphy savours Group 1 strike on Zellie

Lagardere: Angel Bleu could back up in Dewhurst after Group 1 strike for Frankie Dettori

Arc: Torquator Tasso stuns big-name rivals to spring shock success for Germany

Abbaye: A Case Of You pounces late to give Ado McGuinness a first Group 1 victory

Foret: Charlie Appleby on the board as impressive Space Blues powers home

The Front Runner is our latest email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a three-time Racing Reporter of the Year award winner, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday