CHANTILLY 15:00 5421u

All 19 ran.

Time: 2m 7.3s

Overrounds: Industry SP 120%, Betfair SP 96.8%

A belated first success in 'the French Derby' for Aidan O'Brien whose runners in this have often had a 'B-team' look compared with those sent to Epsom, but St Mark's Basilica had a different profile, a top 2-y-o who had the speed to win the Poulains, and he followed up by the same margin here, though again well on top; all the first 3 had the benefit of a low draw/prominent pitch in contrast to the Rouget pair who were the next 2 home, both shaping well after occupying the last 2 places for much of the way. Ioritz Mendizabal partnered the winner for the second year running after Mishriff for John Gosden last year, and won his third Jockey Club in all.

ST MARK'S BASILICA (FR) upped in trip, followed up from last time to become the fourth colt to complete the French Guineas/Derby double since the latter's distance was reduced; well drawn, he enjoyed a perfect run along the inside, never far away, tracked pace entering straight, quickened to lead over 1f out after getting a gap up the leader's inside, went 3 lengths clear final 1f, well on top finish as the placed horses closed; he's likely to progress further and this was almost on a par with what Adayar produced at Epsom 24 hours earlier though it remains to be seen whether they'll ever meet, St Mark's Basilica a speedier type, though he's bred on the same lines (by Siyouni out of a Galileo mare) as Sottsass who went on to win the Arc, albeit as a 4-y-o, after winning this 2 years ago.

SEALIWAY (FR) had finished down the field, though not beaten that far, behind St Mark's Basilica last time and bounced back to form at long odds, belatedly confirming the form of his runaway win on heavy ground in the Jean-Luc Lagardere last year, benefiting from the step up in trip; in touch, pushed along early in straight, every chance over 1f out before the winner quickened clear but kept on.

MILLEBOSC (FR) who is unexposed, improved again up in trip; well drawn, mid-division, switched off the rail over 1f out, kept on final 1f; he's a brother to a winner up to 1½m and should be well up to adding to his sole success to date in a newcomers race at Deauville last year.

SAIYDABAD (USA) in first-time hood, was the outsider of his stable's three runners and had a fair bit to find on form for all that he was unbeaten but showed much improved form, shaping well in the process; dropped out, good headway on inner straight, ran on late, left with too much to do; he's likely to progress further.

CHESHIRE ACADEMY (FR) lost his unbeaten record but still did well under the circumstances from the worst of the draw; in rear, headway out wide 2f out, finished best, never a threat; he remains with potential, particularly when stepped up in trip.

PRETTY TIGER (IRE)

ADHAMO (IRE)

DERAB upped in trip, found this too competitive at this stage of his career though shouldn't be judged too harshly on this as he never seemed to have much daylight in mid-pack; mid-division, shuffled back approaching home turn, effort out wide over 1f out, ran on; he's not one to write off by any means.

MAKALOUN (FR)

VAN GOGH (USA) could have been expected to make more impact upped in trip but was never on after being held up.

NORMANDY BRIDGE (FR)

MEGALLAN 's Dante run entitled him to play a big part here but he didn't run much of a race, his draw not ideal ittedly; patiently ridden, forced wide home turn, never a threat.

FORT PAYNE (FR)

BABY RIDER (FR)

EL DRAMA (IRE) was well held; handy, ridden early in straight, weakened over 1f out, not persevered with once held.

SMILE MAKERS (FR)

NINTH TITAN (IRE)

ROYAL WORD (FR)

POLICY OF TRUTH (FR)