Latice was brought with a powerful surge down the outside of the field by Christophe Soumillon to take the Prix de Diane Hermes (French Oaks) at Chantilly yesterday. The unbeaten daughter of Inchinor was extending her winning run to four with victory over Millionaia and Grey Lilas, with Irish challenger Alexander Goldrun an honourable fourth.

Only a week ago the 23-year-old jockey had told trainer Jean-Marie Beguigne he should withdraw Latice from the race after partnering her in a training gallop. He was happy to accept he had been wrong after he produced her with a devastating run.

The favourite prevailed by three-quarters of a length over Millionaia, with Grey Lilas a further half-length back in third and Alexander Goldrun fourth, another three-quarters of a length behind.

British challenger Menhoubah was prominent early on, but the Clive Brittain-trained filly faded in the straight to finish 13th of the 17 runners. Aidan O'Brien's Baraka was a non-runner with a foot abscess.

Soumillon punched the air in delight as he passed the post. "This is great - it fills a blank in my big-race prizes," said the Belgian, who last year won the French Derby and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on Dalakhani.

"She proved me wrong as I really didn't think, after she worked earlier this week, that she should run. Nobody's perfect!"

Connections of the Jim Bolger-trained Alexander Goldrun felt she had run a decent race, but had not been helped by the long wait in the stalls.

She will probably be tried over a longer distance next time out, with the Irish Oaks on July 18th the favoured option.