Aidan O'Brien's Classic hand for 1999 was strengthened further when Michael Kinane drove out Orpen for an impressive one and a half length victory in the Group One Prix Morny at Deauville yesterday.

Orpen, well supported down to 13 to 2, struck the front a furlong out to beat John Gosden's Exeat, ridden by Frankie Dettori, with the Mick Channon-trained outsider Golden Silca a length back in third under John Reid.

William Hill's representative David Hood immediately slashed Orpen from 40 ro 1 to 20 to 1 for the 2,000 Guineas for which O'Brien's Stravinsky is the 4 to 1 favourite after his impressive victory at York on Thursday.

Although there must be doubts about the speedily-bred Orpen's ability to last the Newmarket mile the trainer has no doubts about Orpen's talents. "This horse has all the qualities of a champion, both with his pace and his temperament," said the Ballydoyle handler of the colt whose only previous outing had been a decisive victory in a maiden race at Goodwood.

O'Brien added: "As far as the future is concerned we are not going to panic. He has already achieved plenty as a two-year-old."

There were no excuses for the British runners with Indiana Legend (Pat Eddery) in fourth with Red Sea (Richard Quinn) in seventh and Caballero (Darryll Holland) finishing ninth of the 13 starters.

Andre Fabre was not too disheartened over the poor showing of hot favourite Danzari. He said: "I think that she did not stay and is a pure sprinter."

Kieren Fallon later guided James Fanshawe's Arctic Owl to victory in the Group Two Prix Kergorlay, the other big race on the card.