Racing: Reliable Man retained his unbeaten record in winning the Group One Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) at Chantilly. Trained in France by Alain de Royer Dupre, the son of Dalakhani, who didn't make his debut until April this year was having his first run in Pattern race company after wins at Saint-Cloud and Chantilly.
Ridden by the experienced Gerald Mosse, the grey weaved through the field from an inside position and picked up really well when out in the open on the centre of the track to scythe down Bubble Chic in impressive fashion.
The runner-up was filling that position for the sixth successive time and gave a timely boost to the Epsom Derby form having chased home Pour Moi Last time.
Roderic O'Connor had got quite worked up prior to the ten furlong Classic and was always to the fore under Ryan Moore as they chased the pace being set by 2000 Guineas flop Casamento and Frankie Dettori.
However, it appeared as they may have gone too hard in front as the pair weakened tamely at the business end of the race.
O'Brien said of Roderic O'Connor, who was a creditable eighth: "It was very warm today. He got very warm, but I don't want to make any excuses."
When asked if he thought his charge did not stay the 10-furlong trip, he said: "It's possible. It's definitely possible. I can't say for sure and we will have a think and see where we go."
Moore added: "The pace was all right. I thought it was fair enough. It is a very hot day, though."
Dettori said of ninth home Casamento: "He is about a month away from being in top form. He's nearly there but not quite. The race worked out well, but he is just quite not there yet."
Best of the British contingent was Colombian who only narrowly lost out for third in a three-way photo finish for the final place that went the way of joint-avourite Baraan.
John Gosden's runner was eventually called in fourth with Poule d'Essai des Poulains winner Tin Horse in fifth.
Gosden said: "That was a super run, he's a lovely horse. He is out of a Linamix mare and he is still rather immature, we have spaced his races out.
"I don't usually bring a maiden winner from Chester to the Prix du Jockey Club, and I think he would have loved softer ground like some of the other horses in the race.
"I think he certainly will be a better horse in the future. I will have to wait for the ground and this really was the plan. He is a young horse who has a great future."
Buick said: "I'm very, very pleased with that. It was a rough race. We went an even gallop and got racing early in the straight.
"He stayed on well and I think he will be a better horse with some give in the ground. I think he could well stay a mile and a half."
The hard-luck story of the race was undoubtedly Baraan who appeared to miss the break and was fully 20 lengths adrift after a couple of furlongs before coming home really well under Christophe Lemaire.
Sky Bet were certainly impressed by the performance of the Jean-Claude Rouget trained third, making him a 14-1 chance for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe - the same price as the winner Reliable Man whilst Victor Chandler went 12-1 about the pair for the autumn highlight.