Aidan O'Brien was successful in Longchamp's Grand Criterium for the second time in three years when Ciro was awarded the race in the stewards' room yesterday. The O'Brien colt was collared early in the straight by Barathea's Guest, who despite veering right off a straight course, forged five lengths clear. But the hampered Ciro fought back bravely to get within a neck of the leader at the post. Michael Kinane claimed afterwards that his mount had been badly impeded.

Owner Michael Tabor, having sampled the joys of an Arc de Triomphe winner with Montjeu at the same venue a week earlier, said: "It was a fair result. Ciro won't run again this season and looks a nice type for the future."

Barathea Guest's trainer George Margarson, denied his first Group One success, was close to tears afterwards.

"Barathea Guest could run in the Racing Post Trophy, and we may have to think about the French 2,000 Guineas next year," he said. Kinane deputised for Kieren Fallon on Ian Balding's Rada's Daughter in the Listed Prix Joubert but the combination finished last to Shebane.

Dubai Two Thousand, Godolphin's highly regard juvenile prospect trained at Evry by David Loder, made a winning debut in the Prix de Blaison (1m).

Noel Meade's Sunshine Street (Johnny Murtagh) finished fifth of seven to Val's Prince in the $600,000 Grade One Turf Classic Invitational (12f) at Belmont Park on Saturday. The front-running raider weakened in the final furlong and was beaten over five lengths. France's Dream Well finished strongly into second.

Brian Meehan's Tomba (Michael Tebbutt) (12-10) repeated his 1998 success in the Group Three Grosser Buchmacher Springer Sprint Preis with a neck victory over Tertullian at Munich yesterday. John Dunlop's Tajasur (Richard Quinn) was half a length further adrift in third.

Enda Bolger's Risk Of Thunder improved on his 1998 showing by finishing second in the Velka Pardubicka (4m 2 1/2f) in the Czech Republic yesterday. Having come to grief at the ninth a year earlier, Risk Of Thunder was beaten 10 lengths as Peruan emulated his 1998 success in the Eastern European Grand National.

Ruby Walsh, having sustained suspected damage to his right shin in a fall in an earlier race, was replaced on Risk Of Thunder by Ken Whelan.

Pat Doyle's Dennistownthriller was eighth, while the Irish-owned but French-trained Irish Stamp was a faller under Adrian Maguire.