HELISSIO gave an awesome display on his seasonal debut by running away with the Group One Prix Ganay at Longchamp yesterday. Europe's champion racehorse of 1996 tracked Pilsudski's pace-maker, Trojan Sea, before being let loose with about half a mile remaining.

From then the race was all over, with Helissio, under a motionless Olivier Peslier, oozing class by drawing six lengths clear of the strong-finishing Le Destin.

Michael Kinane's mount, Pilsudski, beaten five lengths by Helissio in the Arc de Triomphe, was again relegated into the role of bit part player in third. This time Pilsudski was seven and a half lengths in arrears.

Winning trainer, Elie Lellouche, said: "Helissio wintered in Dubai and has done extremely well from three to four. He looks an even better horse this season.

Clive Brittain helped himself to his first win in the Italian 2,000 Guineas, the Group Two Premio Parioli, with Air Express (Brett Doyle) getting the better of local hope Risiat by a short head in Rome yesterday.