Dabirsim leads Morny charge of new brigade

If the second of the Group One prizes contested at Deauville yesterday showcased the efficiency of one bloodstock superpower, Juddmonte Farms extending their remarkable recent spree, the first had drawn attention to the deficiencies in others. David Brown, Yann Barberot and Christophe Ferland hardly have the profile and resources of the elite stables, but saddled the three leading fancies for the Prix Morny. Quite where all the other empires were hiding their juveniles is hard to say, but Ferland showed that simply buying up the most expensive bloodlines can never be enough.

It may prove that a predatory intervention could yet claim Dabirsim, not least if Frankie Dettori were to make a discreet scouting report to his regular employers at Godolphin. He was drafted in to ride the unbeaten colt for his first assignment at this level, and can only have been impressed by the way he quickened past Family One – a dual Group scorer for Barberot – before striding three lengths clear. Dettori immediately recommended the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket next month for Dabirsim, who cost just €30,000 (£26,200) as a yearling from the first crop of a Japanese stallion, Hat Trick. Ferland is in only his fourth season after learning the ropes under Sir Mark Prescott and Richard Gibson. Coral introduced Dabirsim to their Qipco 2,000 Guineas market at 14-1.

Brown was disappointed with the way Frederick Engels faded into fifth of seven, but reported that the colt had given a cough at the start and would be scoped.

There is nothing wrong with the way Khaled Abdulla's Juddmonte cavalry is being bred and deployed, and for the second time in five days his colours were worn by both the jockeys duelling for a big race. As at York on Wednesday, it was Tom Queally who came off second best in the Prix Jean Romanet – this time, overhauled late on Timepiece by Announce, trained by André Fabre and ridden by Maxime Guyon. Sir Henry Cecil felt that Timepiece might have been in front too soon, but Queally had seemed to do the right thing in taking charge of an absurdly cautious pace in the straight. There was only a short-head in it, and Abdulla will have had no complaints with the result, as the runner-up already had a Group One success to her name.

Ed Dunlop could be forgiven for resenting one that got away, however, having been denied the right to run Snow Fairy by the local rules. At least there had been a British success earlier on the card, when Jukebox Jury appeared to discover a new niche in his first really thorough test of stamina. He saw out the Prix Kergorlay really strongly, but Mark Johnston is still inclined to drop the grey back in trip for a series of valuable international prizes.

Turf Account

* Chris McGrath's Nap

Galiando (Windsor 7.50)

Unfortunate not to pick up a handicap over a mile and looks guaranteed to improve past his rating now that he steps up in trip.

* Next best

Jonny Delta (Hamilton 3.30)

Only the drop in trip discourages confidence that he can make up for unlucky defeat in his first handicap last time.

* One to watch

Flameoftheforest (Ed De Giles) has run better with each start since his arrival from Ireland and just failed after being trapped on the rail at Epsom last week.

* Where the money's going

Blue Bunting is 5-1 from 6-1 with William Hill for the St Leger. Kieren Fallon is 4-1 from 5 for the jockeys' title.