Arc fancy Pistol is outgunned by Equerry

The final recognised trial for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe produced an upset at Longchamp yesterday when the odds-on favourite, Maille Pistol, finished only fourth to Equerry.

The final recognised trial for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe produced an upset at Longchamp yesterday when the odds-on favourite, Maille Pistol, finished only fourth to Equerry.

Maille Pistol, having his first outing since the French Derby in June, attempted to make all in the Group Three Prix du Prince d'Orange.

The colt was six lengths clear at halfway, but Jamie Spencer sent Equerry to the front a furlong and a half out and then held on by a neck from the André Fabre-trained Sagacity, with Poussin third. Maille Pistol was pushed out to 25-1 from 8-1 by Hills for the Arc while Coral have taken him out of the betting.

Both Equerry, who was having his first outing for just over a year and is now trained by Saeed Bin Surror, and former stablemate Sagacity are entered in the Arc. Equerry is an unlikly runner.

Fabre unveiled a potential Classic contender in Shannmer who retained his unbeaten record in the Group Three Prix des Chenes.

Baron Edouard de Rothschild, his owner, said the colt is more likely to run in the Epsom Derby rather than the Prix Du Jockey Club and Coral made Shannmer their new 16-1 Derby favourite.

Kutub rounded off a highly-successful weekend for Godolphin by winning the Deutsche Post Euro Express Preis von Europa in Cologne yesterday. Sheikh Mohammed's Dubai operation also enjoyed big-race success with Express Tour in the Jerome Handicap at Belmont Park on Saturday.

Godolphin have supplemented Summoner for the £300,000 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Saturday as a possible pacemaker for stable companion Noverre.

Godolphin, who now have three in the QEII – Noverre, Summoner and China Visit, have won the race twice with Mark of Esteem (1996) and Dubai Millennium (1999).

Henry Cecil's Revealing shot to prominence in the Sagitta 1,000 Guineas betting after her successful debut at Newmarket on Saturday. The half-sister to Ayr Gold Cup runner-up Brevity is as short as 6-1 with Coral to give the Newmarket trainer his seventh success in the fillies' Classic.

William Hill go 10-1 from 25-1 for the 1,000 Guineas while the Tote go 12-1 from 33s. Coral also make Revealing their 8-1 favourite for the Vodafone Oaks.

Marcus Tregoning, who confirmed that Nayef will be entered for next Sunday's Old Vic Cumberland Lodge Stakes at Ascot, went past the £500,000 prize money barrier for the year on Saturday.

David Nicholls continued his domination of the big sprint handicaps when winning the Ayr Gold Cup for the second year running, with 10-1 shot Continent.

Nicholls became the first trainer to triumph in Scotland's richest race in successive years since Peter Easterby in 1983 (Polly's Brother) and 1984 (Able Albert). Continent is likely to reappear in the Tote Trifecta Handicap at Ascot on Saturday.

PRIX DE L'ARC DE TRIOMPHE: Latest betting (Coral): 7-2 Golan, Aquarelliste, 6-1 Hightori, Milan, 10-1 Morshdi, 12-1 Anabaa Blue, Egyptband, 16-1 Nayef, Chichicastenango, Mirio, Tobougg, Diamilina, 20-1 bar, (5-2 Sakhee with a run).

William Hill: 4-1 Aquarelliste, 9-2 Milan, 5-1 Golan, 13-2 Hightori, 10-1 Nayef, 12-1 Anabaa Blue, Egyptband, 14-1 Morshdi, 16-1 others.