French Derby winner The Grey Gatsby has been well beaten in the Grand Prix de Paris held on a rain-sodden Longchamp.
The Kevin Ryan-trained colt finished sixth as Andre Fabre’s Gallante produced a shock victory in Sunday’s 2400m Group One.
Favourite Prince Gibraltar, an unlucky third in the French Derby, looked to have all bases covered turning for home before Gallante hit another gear in the Derrick Smith colours to foil Jean-Claude Rouget’s hotpot.
The Grey Gatsby’s trainer said the wet ground rather than the distance was the issue.
“He just absolutely hated the ground,” Ryan said.
“He ran respectably. I can’t say he didn’t get the trip – the way he ran his race and the way he finished his race I think he will get a mile and a half no problem.
“But I wouldn’t want to run him on soft ground again.”
Ryan said connections would wait until later to decide whether to make The Grey Gatsby a late entry for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in October.
Gallante, who started at 62-1, gave his rider Pierre-Charles Boudot a first Group One victory.
“It’s an emotional win because I made winning a Group One an objective,” Boudot said.
Gallante was introduced to the Arc markets after the win and is at 25-1 with BetVictor and 16-1 with Paddy Power.
