Aidan O'Brien, already the winner of four Irish Classics and two English, registered his first in France yesterday when the Sue Magnier-owned Rose Gypsy lifted the French 1,000 Guineas, the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, at Longchamp.

Representing the winning connections, Michael Tabor, now retired and living in Monte Carlo, looked a little surprised when Rose Gypsy, ridden by Michael Kinane, went from finishing second at the Curragh last Monday to winning such a prestigious race.

The 15 to 1 shot held off the fast finishing Banks Hill, giving trainer Andre Fabre his second near miss of the day.

"It is like getting a monkey off your back and stops incessant questions about what the problem is and are the horses poorer than normal," said Tabor. Rose Gypsy will bypass the Irish equivalent in 13 days time and instead wait for Royal Ascot's Coronation Stakes. Trainer Aidan O'Brien confirmed the plan yesterday evening at Leopardstown and Toroca, third in the Newmarket 1,000, will fly the Ballydoyle flag in the Irish equivalent.

Tabor had to do with third with the O'Brien-trained Milan in the Prix Lupin as the least fancied Chichicastenango created a major shock, holding off odds-on favourite Anabaa Bleu to take the prime French Derby trial.

However, Tabor is confident Milan can return to take the French Derby: "My first thoughts, without speaking to Aidan O'Brien, are that he should come back for the French Derby and I think he would certainly beat the winner," he said.

Godolphin captured the French 2,000 Guineas for the second successive year when Noverre got a great run on the inside to hold off the Fabre-trained Vahorimix.

The 10 to 1 shot, trained by Saeed bin Suroor, had to be driven out by Frankie Dettori to ward off the late challenge of the runner-up with the hot favourite Clearing third.

"This is just the tonic we needed after losing some good horses including Dubai Millennium (who died of grass sickness a fortnight ago)," said Dettori.

Clearing's trainer John Gosden vowed his charge would beat the winner the next time they meet, probably in the St James's Palace Stakes.