Series stars have to settle for supporting roles at Curragh

Oaks winner Forever Together found Urban Sea too strong in the Pretty Polly Stakes. Picture: Racingfotos.com

Leading lights in the QIPCO British Champion Series were out of luck at the Curragh this weekend.

Saxon Warrior, winner of the QIPCO 2000 Guineas and fourth in the Investec Derby, was sent off Evens favourite for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby on Saturday but had to settle for third behind the Joseph O’Brien-trained Latrobe, partnered by his younger brother, Donnacha.

It now seems likely that Saxon Warrior will drop back in distance, with the Juddmonte International at York a possibility for him.

Dee Ex Bee, the Investec Derby runner-up, started 100-30 for the Irish equivalent but trailed home a below-par seventh.

On Sunday, Investec Oaks heroine Forever Together was 4-6 to follow up in the Group 1 Juddmonte Pretty Polly Stakes but the William Haggas-trained British raider Urban Fox powered five lengths clear of her under Danny Tudhope.

The Qatar Nassau Stakes at Goodwood must now be a possibility for the emphatic winner.

In France, the Andre Fabre-trained Waldgeist narrowly outpointed John Gosden-trained mare Coronet in a thrilling climax to the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.

Salouen, runner-up to Cracksman in the Investec Coronation Cup, was third.