Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe:Connections of the beaten runners in Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe have been quick to heap praise on Aidan O'Brien's winner Dylan Thomas.
Having got home by a head from Youmzain in Longchamp's showpiece event, the Ballydoyle-trained runner had to survive a lengthy deliberation by the stewards before O'Brien could celebrate.
Surprisingly among the also-rans was Derby hero and hot favourite Authorized, who only beat two home in the 12-runner contest.
"I was totally gutted and deflated yesterday after the race," said trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam. "I thought I had him spot-on, but he has had a few hard races and maybe I had done too much with him. I blame myself for that and the run itself.
"Take nothing away from Dylan Thomas. He is such a hard horse and I would like to congratulate Aidan O'Brien on winning his first Arc."
Mick Channon's Youmzain ran the race of his life to claim second. "With the likes of Dylan Thomas and Authorized gone for next year, the new horses will now be thinking about beating Youmzain as he is obviously getting stronger," said Channon.
He believed the interference Dylan Thomas caused some of the unplaced horses was significant under French rules, but graciously conceded that the best horse won on the day.
"I've been on the wrong side of the French stewards before when Yasoodd was thrown out two years ago and if that was bad this was 20 times worse.
"If it had happened here we would have all got in our cars and gone home. The best horse probably won on the day - we didn't get going soon enough."
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