Frankie Dettori catapulted in the air on Campanelle after disastrous start as British runners humbled in France

THE Brits were humbled in the Prix Maurice de Gheest and Frankie Dettori lost all chance after a disastrous start at Deauville.

The legendary Italian was catapulted in the air after Wesley Ward’s leading contender Campanelle (11-4) reared up as the stalls opened.

He just about managed to hang on – but the same can’t be said of July Cup hero Starman (15-8f) who led entering the final furlong but ran out of gas as winning machine Marianafoot (11-1) swooped late for the home team.

Rank outsider Tropbeau (150-1) took the silver medal for a French-trained 1-2, with Starman finishing third ahead of Kevin Ryan’s popular veteran Brando.

All eyes were on Ed Walker’s Starman, who has won five of his six career starts and was ultra-impressive when bagging his first Group 1 at Newmarket last month.

Ground conditions were slower than ideal for him, but he moved smoothly through the race under Tom Marquand.

But the finishing kick he showed in the July Cup was lacking this time and he had nothing left in the tank as the winner and runner-up swept by in the closing stages.

A frustrated Dettori was never able to get Campanelle into contention after she blew the start and she trailed home in last place.

Other British runners Kinross, Glen Shiel and Rohaan finished fifth, ninth and tenth respectively.

Winning trainer Jerome Reynier said: “The plan really worked beautifully.

“Over this distance we wanted to attack in the final 100 metres because we know he stays further and some of the others are pure sprinters.”

More to follow…

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