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Goldikova and Paco Boy ran to the ounce of form in the Group One Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville.
But neither of these exceptional milers is a Classic winner and they were beaten by one, Makfi.
What an insult to the Newmarket Two Thousand Guineas winner - the Marois billing, a head-to-head, Goldikova v Paco Boy, with left Makfi out of calculations.
At Royal Ascot in the St James’s Palace, Mikel Delzangles’ colt, a Hamdan Al Maktoum throwaway, started joint-favourite with Canford Cliffs who Richard Hannon insists is the best horse he has trained in forty years on the job.
Makfi, 33-1, had beaten Canford Cliffs into third in the Guineas.
Makfi’s supporters couldn’t raise a shout at Ascot and the French colt went home with a sore throat – inflamed by infection and with his reputation shot.
At Deauville he proved himself the outstanding miler of the year – at least when conditions are testing.
My neighbours the Hannons had been confident they could reverse placings with Goldikova who held a 2-0 advantage over their Paco Boy aided by her 3lb mares' allowance. But the ground proved too holding for him and blunted Goldikova’s kick.
Makfi had their measure: on Deauville evidence the son of Dubawi is superior to all. We were privileged to see him at Newmarket. His future may lie in France and America.
Paco Boy will go to Highclere Stud in Berkshire next season. Before then connections must decide whether to bang their heads against Goldikova again in the Moulin or the Foret.
The Hannons’ other big decision is whether to go for the decider – top of the bill is now Makfi v Canford Cliffs.
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Frogwatch, by Rolf Johnson 
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