Two masters of training top-class fillies fought it out in grand style in the Poule d`Essai des Pouliches (Fr-G1) (French One Thousand Guineas) on Sunday at Longchamp.

French trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre`s Darjina edged Irish handler Jim Bolger`s Finsceal Beo to deny the Stan James One Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1) heroine a famous double within a week.

Finsceal Beo appeared poised to become only the fourth filly to achieve the French and English One Thousand Guineas double, a feat previously accomplished by Miesque, Ravinella, and *Imprudence II. Jockey Kevin Manning, son-in-law of Bolger, led the Irish-bred Mr. Greeley filly to the front, passing longtime leader Sesmem, with around 300 meters to go of the 1,600-meter (7.96-furlong) race.

Christophe Soumillon produced Darjina, who had been in midpack the whole way, from out of the clouds and the Zamindar filly unleashed a stunning turn of foot to eat up the ground between herself and odds-on favorite Finsceal Beo.

Soumillon somehow got Darjina, sent off at odds of 13-to-2, to the line in front, produced his trademark finger-waving celebration to the crowd, and punched the air in delight. Royer-Dupre trains Darjina for Princess Zahra Aga Khan.

English runner Rahiyah, trained by Jeremy Noseda, finished third under Ted Durcan.

Soumillon was impressed by Darjina, who completed the distance on turf rated good in 1:37.20.

"She accelerated brilliantly," Soumillon said of Darjina, who is undefeated in three career starts. "She ran a bit green but that is understandable.

"I didn`t think I had a chance when I got her free of the pack, but she simply would not be beaten and she will go on to even better things."

Royer-Dupre, who has trained a string of top class winners for the Aga Khan family, said that he had been concerned by the ground for Darjina, who had won the Prix de la Grotte (Fr-G3) as her prep race.

"The ground was not to her liking, but I was stunned by her turn of foot," Royer-Dupre said.

"She has a lot of potential."

Bolger hid his disappointment well.

"She did not like the ground either, it wasn`t a case of her being tired after Newmarket," said Bolger, who has trained several standout fillies, including classic winners Condessa (Ire) and Jet Ski Lady and multiple Group 1 winner Alexander Goldrun.

"I am still aiming to take her to the [Boylesports] Irish [One Thousand] Guineas (Ire-G1). She just loves racing."

Bolger suffered further disappointment in the Poule D`Essai des Poulains (Fr-G1) (French Two Thousand Guineas) half an hour later.

The Bolger-trained Creachadoir looked set to collect the prize under Manning, but Astronomer Royal rallied from the pack under jockey Conor O` Donoghue to prevail for trainer Aidan O`Brien and owners Derrick Smith, Michael Tabor, and Susan Magnier.

Astronomer Royal, who was unplaced in the Prix de Fontainebleau (Fr-G3) in his previous start, completed 1,600 meters (7.96 furlongs) in 1:37.10 on turf rated good.

O`Brien also saddled third-place finisher Honoured Guest.

France-based favorite Battle Paint led for a while but faded from the battlefront and French Group 3 winner Visionario`s turned in a disappointing unplaced finish.

Goldophin`s Dijeerr was prominent entering the straight but faded from contention.

O`Brien, who watched the race with Tabor, said that it was in a sense a logical win as his stable has been really ratcheting up the form and winning classic trials.

"The stable has really caught fire," O`Brien said.

"We have been winning classic trials at will and it is a tribute to the staff that these wins are coming along.

"I would also like to thank Michael Tabor and his co-owner for staying faithful to Conor O` Donoghue as it would have been tempting to have opted for a more well known face," added O`Brien, who declined to outline future plans for Astronomer Royal. "I am delighted for Conor as he has done all the prep work on him."

Thoroughbred Times