Favourites flop in Longchamp mud

French Classic hopefuls were out in force at a rain-sodden Longchamp this afternoon, but all three trials fell to outsiders.

Okawango, the top-rated French juvenile in the international classifications last year, was the first hot favourite to be floored in the Group Three Prix de Fontainebleau.

The race, a leading trial for the Poule d`Essai des Poulains, was won by Denon, owned by the Niarchos family and trained in Chantilly by Englishman Jonathan Pease.

After her Grand Criterium victor Okawango had trailed in four-and-a-half lengths third, trainer Criquette Head-Maarek shrugged: 'The ground was atrocious, his programme stays the same.'

Next up was the Prix du Jockey-Club trial, the Group Two Prix Greffulhe.

Last year`s Criterium de Saint-Cloud winner, Sagacity, trained by Andre Fabre, was sent off the odds-on favourite.

But Olivier Peslier`s mount never managed to strike a proper blow, coming in some 10 lengths back in fourth behind all-the-way winner Maille Pistol.

Maille Pistol, bought with a jumping career in mind by his owner, trotting trainer Michel Roussel, was the most impressive of all the afternoon`s winners, making light of the gruelling ground to beat Nolt by half a dozen lengths.

The son of Pistolet Bleu now has the Prix du Jockey-Club high on his agenda.

Trainer Jean-Claude Rouget said: 'Soft ground is a big plus but this horse has a good engine too.'

Finally it was the turn of the fillies with the Prix Marcel Boussac heroine, Amonita, the star attraction in the Group Three Prix de la Grotte.

Pascal Bary`s filly acquitted herself well but was beaten two lengths into second by another all-the-way winner Quarter Note, trained by Alex Pantall for Sheikh Mohammed.

She was beautifully ridden by Yutaka Take and is on target for the Poule d`Essai des Pouliches, where she will once again meet the runner-up.