Imperial Monarch was out of luck for the Aidan O'Brien team as Saonois claimed a rough renewal of the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly.

O'Brien and his son Joseph were bidding for a Derby double following the triumph of Camelot at Epsom on Saturday, but Imperial Monarch was last turning for home after being shuffled back and badly impeded, and although he picked up well once switched wide, his late flourish was not enough to get near the leaders.

The honours went to Saonois, trained by J-P Gauvin and ridden by Antoine Hamelin, who beat Saint Baudolino by three-quarters of a length, with a further head to Nutello in third in a bunched finish for the places.

The British raiders failed to make their presence felt, with Roger Varian's Ektihaam and Most Improved from the Brian Meehan stable meeting all sorts of traffic problems. John Gosden's Gregorian was stuck wide throughout and was also well beaten.

French Fifteen, second to Camelot in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, was another who never had any chance as he found himself behind a wall of horses in the straight.



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