Oh dear! Americain's much-hyped Melbourne Cup campaign has got away to an ordinary start in France. Last year's Cup winner could finish only 10th to the UK stayer Jukebox Jury in the Darley Prix Kergorlay (Group 2) 1m7f at Deauville. Americain never got into the race after stumbling when he left the stalls. Trainer Alain Royer-Dupre says: 'The ground was too fast for him and he nearly fell on his knees coming out of the stalls and had no action afterwards...He couldn't relax and they quickened b

Oh dear! Americain's much-hyped Melbourne Cup campaign has got away to an ordinary start in France. Last year's Cup winner could finish only 10th to the UK stayer Jukebox Jury in the Darley Prix Kergorlay (Group 2) 1m7f at Deauville. Americain never got into the race after stumbling when he left the stalls. Trainer Alain Royer-Dupre says: 'The ground was too fast for him and he nearly fell on his knees coming out of the stalls and had no action afterwards...He couldn't relax and they quickened brutally in the straight. You mustn't write him off as he was unfavored by the race from start to finish and he will now go into quarantine.'

The news was better from the Luca Cumani camp. His stayer Manighar ran well, finishing 4th at 22/1. Cumani says: 'It was a good run, it was set up for the winner...Our target with Manighar is the Melbourne Cup." Another likely Melbourne Cup raider, Dunaden, was disappointing, finishing 9th, just a nose clear of Americain.