Gabriel springs Grand Prix surprise

Ange Gabriel sprang a 16-1 surprise in the Group One Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud in France this afternoon as hot favourite Aquarelliste had a bad day at the office.

Alec Wildenstein`s Arc runner-up could only manage third, two lengths and a short head behind the Thierry Jarnet-ridden winner and Polish Summer, as she failed to show her customary deadly finishing kick.

An indication that things were not right came before the start as last year`s French Oaks heroine dug her toes in on the way to the stalls, refusing to budge.

Dominique Boeuf was forced to dismount for five minutes and it was only after encouragement from a stalls starter and the arrival of her pacemaker, Virginian, that she agreed to get on with the show.

When the race finally got underway Virginian set a stout pace, with the other five runners tracking in indian file.

Hitting the straight with two and a half furlongs to go Jarnet eased Ange Gabriel to the front with all eyes now on Boeuf, waiting for the French champion to produce the odds-on favourite.

But as the two furlong and then the one furlong marker passed it became evident that this was not the Aquarelliste that had merited comparison by her owner with the mighty Allez France (his 1974 Arc winner).

But at least she did better than Anabaa Blue, last year`s French Derby victor�proving a bitter disappointment for his Argentinian handler Carlos Lerner, beating one horse home - the pacemaker.

Wildenstein meanwhile took Aquarelliste`s�loss in his stride, saying: 'It`s always a bad sign when a filly plays up going down to the start. It`s not a problem, she`s better than that.'

While not ruling it out completely he said it was unlikely she would travel to England for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot, a traditional French build-up to the Arc the more probable plan.

He added: 'The six week gap between her last race the Prix Ganay and this is stupid. She was blowing quite heavily afterwards.'

The fast improving Ange Gabriel was supplying trainer Eric Libaud with his third success at this level.

'He was given a dream ride,' said the Loire-based trainer.

'This horse keeps getting better and better. He needs a mile and a half, and will have an international campaign with the Arc de Triomphe very much in mind.'

The time, of 2min 28.60sec, was fast, only bettered in recent years by Helissio in 1996.

The Group Two Prix Malleret later on the card supplied Anabaa Blue`s jockey Christophe Soumillon with some compensation - the 21-year-old on board winner Pearly Shells, trained near Pau by Francois Rohaut.

The Irish filly Really was a non runner