Dettori Escapes Longchamp Fall

Frankie Dettori had a lucky escape after Formal Decree took a crashing fall in the Group Three La Coupe at Longchamp.

The duo were travelling well in behind when Formal Decree appeared to lose his footing and took a nasty tumble, throwing Dettori in the process.

Formal Decree also brought down two of his rivals but all the horses and riders appeared to avoid serious injury in the incident.

The departure of Formal Decree left his pace-setting stablemate Stage Gift to claim top honours under Kerrin McEvoy.

The Australian produced a masterful piece of riding, setting a steady pace in front before gradually winding up the tempo with half a mile to run.

Stage Gift always had around a length in hand in the final furlong, holding off the persistent challenge of Willywell and Atlantic Air.

It is the third time in seven years Godolphin have landed the 10-furlong contest following the victories of Slickly in 2000 and Equerry in 2002.

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor reported both Dettori and Formal Decree to have returned unscathed.

'Frankie came back fine and there doesn´t appear to be anything wrong with the horse,' he told www.godolphin.com

'Stage Gift won very well. He is happy in front and it was good to see him win like that.

'There are plenty of races for both horses but we will make no plans for either until we see how they come out of the race.'

(C) PA Sport