Mosse proves the Reliable Man

Casamento a month away from hitting top form, says Dettori after the early pace-setter fizzled out for Godolphin.

Godolphin's Casamento paid the price for setting the early pace as Reliable Man stormed home to give Alain de Royer-Dupre his sixth win in the French Derby at Chantilly yesterday.

Ridden by the experienced Gerald Mosse, Reliable Man extended his unbeaten record to three, although yesterday's victory represented a huge step up in company.

Mosse guided his mount through the field in the home straight where he caught Bubble Chic half a furlong out. Baraan, the favourite, finished third.

Casamento and Aidan O'Brien's Roderic O'Connor set off at a furious rate but were unable to sustain their challenges.

Roderic O'Connor was in search of a Classic double having won the Irish 2000 Guineas a fortnight ago, while Mahmood al Zarooni's Casamento was aiming to repair his reputation after a disappointing display in the English Guineas at Newmarket.

Frankie Dettori soon had Casamento at the head of affairs, with Roderic O'Connor not far away in the hands of Ryan Moore.

The pair were still in with a chance turning for home but faded tamely.

Dettori said of ninth home Casamento: "He is about a month away from being in top form. He's nearly there but not quite. The race worked out well, but he is just quite not there yet."

Reliable Man was ridden more conservatively by Mosse but quickened up well once he straightened up for home and finished strongly to pass Bubble Chic close to home.

"It's a special pleasure to have won this for the sixth time," said De Royer-Dupre, who last won it with Darsi in 2006.

"I was always quietly confident with this horse. He may not have had the race records of others in the race but he is a horse I have always had high hopes for."

Baraan ran an incredible race to get up for third. He was very slowly away and was tailed off at one stage, but finished with a real rattle to grab a place.

Beraan's owner, the Aga Khan, said: "He ran a cracking race given that he missed the break and showed real acceleration when he eventually got back to the others."

John Gosden's Colombian was fourth under William Buick.

"That was a super run, he's a lovely horse," Gosden said.

Buick said: "I'm very, very pleased with that. It was a rough race. We went an even gallop and got racing early in the straight."

* Compiled by The National staff