HELISSIO produced one of the most outstanding performances in Arc history to capture the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe for France at Longchamp yesterday. Not since Sea-Bird flew to his amazing win of 1965, has there been a more convincing winner of the £500,000 first prize, as the local favourite romped to a five-length triumph.

Pilsudski, trained by Michael Stoute and ridden by Walter Swinburn, led the challengers in, holding off the Kevin Prendergast-trained Oscar Schindler by a short neck to claim second with Swain fourth.

But England's main hopes had an off-day. Derby winner Shaamit finished seventh, Pentire 10th and Classic Cliche last. Polaris Flight had to be destroyed after breaking his off-fore leg.

Oliver Peslier, France's answer to Frankie Dettori, started celebrating fully 100 yards before the line after Helissio had dominated the race from the front.

Varying the pace, he quickened up turning for home and strode further and further away. Pilsudski was his nearest pursuer throughout while Oscar Schindler finished fastest of all after an unlucky run under Cash Asmussen.

"How do you say `Ooh la la' in English?" remarked Peslier. "This is the greatest day of my life and this horse is the best.

It was very easy. He controlled the race. It was almost as if the other jockeys stopped their horses for me!"

Helissio's Spanish owner Enrique Sarasola, chairman of Madrid racetrack, turned down a £6 million offer from Japan for Helissio before the Arc and the price will soar following yesterday's win.

Still for sale the colt looks destined for the Far Fast anyway with Lellouche favouring a trip to the Japan Cup over the Breeders Cup in Canada.

Pilsudski completed his transformation from, handicapper to highclass, middle-distance performer to add to the Weinstock family's list of near-misses that include Homeric, Troy, Ela-Mana-Mou and Sun Princess.

"He would have been good enough to win most Arcs but unfortunately we came across a machine in Helissio," said Michael Stoute.

Swinburn commented: "He would have won eight or nine out of the last 10 races. I'm gutted I didn't win but if you are going to lose it might as well be to a superstar."

Ladbrokes were prepared to promote Oscar Schindler to 4 to 1 favourite for the Melbourne Cup, in which he has an enticing 8st 13lbs, but owner Ollie Lehane is hanging fire on a final decision.

"Ask me about Australia tomorrow," he replied. "He didn't get the run of the race. We weren't going to beat the winner but he would have been a very good second if he'd been able to get out."

Shaamit's season is over but he will stay in training next year, while plans for Pentire and Classic Cliche are fluid.

Pentire was anchored in mid-division on the fence and never got into contention while Classic Cliche dropped back to last after racing in fourth place to the straight.

"There was room for a lovely run if he could pick up but I just didn't have the horse under me.

The ground was a bit dead in a race that was run for the front two, said Michael Hills.

Frankie Dettori could not end a successful weekend that had already yielded three winners as the fears that Classic Cliche may not be at his best were realised.

"He was very flat and not himself but the problem is horses can't tell you that. He looked fine but from five furlongs out when I asked there was no response. It's a shame because he is a very nice horse," he said.

Earlier in the afternoon the English had better fortune when Ryafan and Yashmak fought out a thrilling duel for the Prix Marcel Boussac. Who else but Frankie Dettori gained the day as he edged out Pat Eddery by a head in the dying strides of the Group One contest to produce a Khalid Abdulla-owned one-two.

The pair finished two and a half lengths clear of Aidan O'Brien's Family Tradition in third place with Bianca Nera, who had beaten Ryafan in the Moyglare Stakes last time, back in fourth.

Sean Woods' classy miler Mistle Cat, ridden by Richard Hughes, (paid 36-10) completed a British treble in Milan yesterday after outpointing Mark Johnston's Gothenberg (Jason Weaver) by two lengths in the Group One Premio Vittorio di Capua (1m).

Mistle Cat made all the running and comfortably held his compatriot. "He loved the mud," said Hughes.