Aidan O’Brien failed to add to his three French 2000 Guineas at Longchamp on Sunday as Highland Reel came home in sixth position behind winner Make Believe at Longchamp.

It was trainer Andre Fabre’s sixth win in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains when making all from his stablemate New Bay.

Olivier Peslier had the son of Makfi smartly out of the stalls and was soon in command on the far rail.

Mr Owen tried to put in a strong bid in the straight, but Make Believe continued to gallop on resolutely to win impressively.

New Bay made eyecatching late headway from his wide draw to snatch second place ahead of Mr Owen, with Frankie Dettori’s mount Karar fourth.

Highland Reel broke well for Ryan Moore but could never build on his good early position.