Aidan O’Brien’s Highland Reel second in French Derby

Aidan O'Brien's Highland Reel made up for a poor run in the French 2000 Guineas to take second spot to New Bay in the French Derby at Chantilly.

New Bay finished with a flourish under French champion jumps jockey Vincent Cheminaud to provide Andre Fabre with a fourth victory in the race.

The Khalid Abdullah-owned son of Dubawi was settled in the rear for much of the extended mile-and-a-quarter journey and remained nearer last than first rounding the home turn.

Once angled wide to challenge, though, New Bay showed thrilling acceleration to run to the lead and was ultimately well on top as he passed the post under his jubilant jockey.

“It’s an incredible feeling,” said Cheminaud. “New Bay is an extraordinary horse.”

Highland Reel fared the best of O’Brien’s three runners to fill the runner-up spot in the hands of the trainer’s son, Joseph.

The Ryan Moore-ridden Cape Clear Island failed to get competitive, however, while stable companion War Envoy was a long last.

O’Brien said of his trio: “I’m delighted with Highland Reel. He ran a very good race.

“He progressed well from the last race. I’m very happy with his race.

“Highland Reel has a lot of options. There is the Irish Derby or the Eclipse. He has all of those races possible.

“The winner quickened up very well, didn’t he?

“Cape Clear Island wants fast ground. War Envoy ran disappointing. Maybe a mile and a quarter is too far.”

Alain de Royer-Dupre’s much-vaunted Karaktar looked poised to challenge early in the straight, but his run petered out and he was ultimately disappointing.

War Dispatch finished an unlucky-in-running third for trainer Jean-Claude Rouget and jockey Ioritz Mendizabal.