Baron's Ace Trumps Foret Foes

Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe weekend at Longchamp must have appeared like a black cloud on the horizon for Baron Georg Von Ullmann after Manduro was ruled out of the main event.

But the German owner was ecstatic after his Toylsome produced a massive shock with an all-the-way success in the Group One Prix de la Foret.

Von Ullmann was back in the sun-drenched Paris suburbs just three weeks after witnessing Manduro stake his Arc claim by landing the Prix Foy, only for it to be discovered he had suffered a career-ending injury in the process.

Any talk of his brilliant four-year-old was dismissed, however, and he was keen to concentrate on Manduro's former pacemaker who bolted up under Stephane Pasquier at a massive 100-1.

The placings at the head of affairs remained virtually unchanged throughout with Toylsome always having a handy advantage over his rivals and crossing the line with two and a half lengths to spare over the gallant Welsh Emperor.

Von Ullmann said: 'He is a very nice eight-year-old gentleman and to win a Group one race on Arc weekend in Paris is very special.

'It was a little shock, although a positive shock, to see him win and it is fantastic.

'We will see how he is before making plans but I don't see any reason to go travelling the world with him as he likes it in Germany and Paris.'

Connections of the Tom Tate-trained Welsh Emperor said the veteran had run the race of his life to finish runner-up for the second consecutive year, while Frankie Dettori reported the ground was too soft for hot favourite Tariq.

Dettori was still able to treat racegoers to a flying dismount after securing a famous Yorkshire victory aboard Anna Pavlova in the Prix de Royallieu.

The Italian rode the Richard Fahey-trained filly with immeasurable confidence and still had her anchored well in rear as the field swung for home.

But the 11-4 favourite sparked into life soon after and majestically swooped down the outside of the track for a comprehensive victory.

The winning margin was a thumping two and a half lengths over 66-1 outsider Princesse Dansante.

Fahey said: 'She is a legend. We have looked after her for all of her life, but I made the mistake of putting her away for the summer for a backend campaign, only for it to do nothing but rain.

'She will stay in training next year and I'm hoping for a wet spring, but there is a chance she could run again this year in Rome.'

Dettori added: 'They went a proper pace and I just let them get on with it.

'Going round the bend I felt her come with me and I didn't want any trouble so I took no chances and came down the centre. I had them all cooked by the first winning post.'

Perennial French champion trainer Andre Fabre may have also had Manduro cruelly taken from his care but he responded in the best possible fashion by sending out the first four home in the Prix Chaudenay.

Fittingly it was his 4-9 favourite Coastal Path who come home in fine style under Pasquier, with stablemates Noble Prince, Royal And Regal and Friston Forest all in behind.

Dettori was all the rage in the Prix Daniel Wildenstein as Echo Of Light attempted to take the Group Two prize for a second year, but his mount faded into fifth as Spirito Del Vento swept to a taking victory.

(C) PA Sport