Racing: Connections of the beaten runners in the 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 his first success in the famous race.
Surprisingly among the also-rans was Derby hero and hot favourite Authorized, who only beat two home in the 12-runner contest.
Philosophical in defeat despite his huge disappointment, trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam did not want the no-show of his stable star to detract from the performance of Dylan Thomas.
"I was totally gutted and deflated yesterday after the race," Chapple-Hyam said. "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.
"It wasn't Authorized's running as he is a horse who travels into his races so well as a rule."
He continued: "Perhaps he was further back than we wanted but the draw didn't help.
"If he'd managed to lie fourth or fifth early in the race, the energy used in doing so may have resulted in him being beaten further - who knows?
"Frankie (Dettori) ended up looking after him and I take my hat off to him for that," he told www.peterchapplehyam.com . "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 and connections admit the ensuing inquiry led to more than a few nerves becoming frayed.
"I'd have been happier to have been beaten a length and then we could have enjoyed it a bit more as to get so near is a bit frustrating," said Bruce Raymond, racing manager to owner Jaber Abdullah.
"When Dylan Thomas quickened up, that was where he won the race as he has that real touch of class about him. We were a lot closer yesterday than we were in the King George, though.
"I think he will stay in training as there is not much point in him going off to stud as you would rather use his father, Sinndar, who won the Arc.
"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."
Channon believed the interference Dylan Thomas caused some of the unplaced horses was significant under the French rules, but graciously conceded he thought 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," he said. "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.
"Dylan Thomas beat us in the King George and there was a lot of talk that day that the best horses didn't turn up but they were all there yesterday. Authorized was there and the best of the French - no one can complain," he told At The Races.