Desert Prince staked his claim for the crown as Europe's champion miler when he stretched clear under Olivier Peslier for a scintillating three-length victory over Gold Away in the Group One Prix du Moulin de Longchamp yesterday afternoon.

David Loder's charge was having his first outing since finishing second to Dr Fong in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, but lacked nothing in fitness and sluiced through the mud.

Aidan O'Brien's representative Second Empire failed to maintain the revival in his fortunes signalled when he won last month's Desmond Stakes, finishing a further two lengths back in third.

Owner Michael Tabor was baffled by the performance of his Second Empire. He said: "I'm reluctant to blame the ground as he seems to have gone on it before."