We're scratching our heads' - Hugo Palmer puzzled after Ebro River disappoints

Monday: Chantilly

Ebro River arrived at Chantilly with a sizeable class advantage over his rivals but, with question marks over his ability to handle faster ground, was unable to make his Group 1 two-year-old form count in the Prix Texanita.

Overnight storms deposited less than three millimetres of rain on the course but Hugo Palmer was in no mood to blame the ground after last year's Phoenix Stakes hero led the field under Jamie Spencer to the furlong pole before subsiding to a tired fourth, with Kingentleman and Gregory Benoist taking the spoils.

"We're scratching our heads," said Palmer. "The ground seemed fine, he couldn't have gone easier and he just didn't win.

"You saw him before, he looked a million dollars and Jamie was very happy with the way he moved and the way he felt.

"He said he tried but he's run a stone below what we know he's capable of. It's a long year."

None of which should detract from Kingentleman, whose dam Restiadargent was beaten a head and a neck by Black Caviar and Moonlight Cloud in the Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot.

Guy Pariente's homebred son of Kingman has been highly tried this season, finishing sixth in both the Djebel and here in the Prix Sigy.

Co-trainer Pia Brandt said: "He looks a beautiful sprinter and Greg gave him a great ride. We knew he had ability but he was quite backward and really he is a horse for the future.

"He's been learning the technique of becoming a sprinter on the job, how to breathe and how to handle himself in among horses. He is beautifully bred and I'm very happy for Mr Pariente."

Prix Texanita: full result

Brandt added: "He wasn't beaten far over shorter last time but I think 1,200 metres [six furlongs] is his trip as it gives him time to go again."

Kingentleman is not entered in the Commonwealth Cup, for which the Texanita is a trial, and Brandt said she and the owners would take their time to plan the colt's next steps.

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