Al Naamah disappoints at Chantilly

Frankie Dettori's mood will not have improved after Al Naamah, the Andre Fabre-trained filly who cost an eye-watering five million guineas, could finish only sixth behind stablemate Shahah in the Prix d'Aumale at Chantilly.

Having lost the ride on Arc winner Treve to Thierry Jarnet, Dettori was looking for a confidence boost.

But it did not materialise in this Group Three over a mile as Al Naamah beat just one horse home.

After winning on her debut, the daughter of Galileo, owned by Al Shaqab Racing, was inserted as favourite for next year's 1000 Guineas by some bookmakers.

Dettori had looked happy on Al Naamah for a long way, but when he asked the filly to get closer two furlongs out there was no response.

Having missed the break, Pierre-Charles Boudot had to rush Shahah up to take up the running and she was soon a few lengths clear.

She creditably kept on galloping and it was clear on entering the final furlong that she was not going to be caught as Boudot's partner stretched readily clear of Night Of Light.

Ironically, Shahah was moved by Al Shaqab out of Richard Hannon's yard and into the care of Fabre so as to assist in the training of Al Naamah.

The Motivator filly was beaten in three starts for Hannon and was only third in a maiden at Chepstow last month.

Harry Herbert, representing Al Shaqab, said: "Obviously Al Naamah was disappointing but she'll be fine, and Andre said that we know she's better than that.

"She's a big, tall, scopey filly and Frankie said she could never get into the race. Shahah was doing a very good job in front, a decent clip without going a crazy pace.

"I'm delighted Al Shaqab have won but it's a strange feeling for it to have been with a pacemaker.

"Al Naamah just didn't get into the right rhythm but Andre told us, 'Do not in any way lose heart'.

"He didn't say what he was going to do with her, I'd imagine he'd want to get her back around another Paris track, possibly Longchamp, but we'll see.

"As of Shahah, we haven't got her in the Marcel Boussac, but she has won well and I suppose we might look at supplementing her."

Fabre netted a Group race double on the card, with hot favourite High Celebrity showing marvellous speed to win the Prix d'Arenberg by a comfortable length and three-quarters.

The Duchess of Cambridge Stakes runner-up was beating several colts over an extended five furlongs.

It was a good day for British raiders, with Hughie Morrison's Quiz Mistress flashing through late under Ioritz Mendizabal, just as she had done in last year's Listed Prix des Tourelles.

Paul Cole's Skaters Waltz also won his second French claimer when finishing well in the Prix du Bois du Triangle.