Americain remains on target for this year's Melbourne Cup despite a heavy defeat in France.The 2010 winner finished a dismal 10th of 13 runners in the Group Two Prix Kergorlay at Deauville but trainer Alain du Royer-Dupre said there were genuine excuses for the five-length loss."The ground was too fast for him and he nearly fell on his knees coming out of the stalls and had no action afterwards, du Royer-Dupre told the Racing Post."He couldn't relax and they quickened brutally in the straight."Y

Americain remains on target for this year's Melbourne Cup despite a heavy defeat in France.

The 2010 winner finished a dismal 10th of 13 runners in the Group Two Prix Kergorlay at Deauville but trainer Alain du Royer-Dupre said there were genuine excuses for the five-length loss.

"The ground was too fast for him and he nearly fell on his knees coming out of the stalls and had no action afterwards, du Royer-Dupre told the Racing Post.

"He couldn't relax and they quickened brutally in the straight.

"You mustn't write him off as he was unfavoured by the race from start to finish and he will now go into quarantine."

In reaction to the defeat, TAB Sportsbet eased Americain from $17 to the fifth line of Melbourne Cup betting at $21 despite solid early support.

TAB Sportsbet spokesman Matthew Jenkins said: "Americain has been one of the more popular runners since betting opened."

Sunday's performance was in stark contrast to Americain's 2010 run in the 3000m feature when he led home seven rivals to book what was a history-making trip to Australia.

The Kergorlay was won by Jukebox Jury, a British-trained stayer who defeated Kasbah Bliss.

Luca Cumani's Manighar, owned in Australian interests, was edged out of third place.

Jukebox Jury is being prepared for a global campaign with trainer Mark Johnston telling Racing Victoria officials on Monday he would lodge a Melbourne Cup nomination.

Cumani is keen to return to Australia with Manighar.

Manighar, who was narrowly beaten by Americain in the 2010 Kergorlay, raced in last year's Cups.

He finished fifth in the Caulfield Cup and seventh in the Melbourne Cup before being placed in the Sandown Classic.

"It was a good run, it was set up for the winner and his target will be the Melbourne Cup," Cumani said.