West Ilsley trainer Mick Channon experienced the full gamut of emotions as Youmzain ran the race of his life to be beaten a head by Dylan Thomas in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, writes Russell Smith.

It looked as if Channon's charge - a 66-1 outsider - was going to land France's greatest race as Richard Hughes conjured up a terrific run in the final furlong.

But agonisingly for the West Ilsley handler, Dylan Thomas and Kieren Fallon held on by a whisker to give trainer Aidan O'Brien his first success in the Longchamp showpiece.

However, that wasn't the end of the drama as a 35-minute stewards' enquiry followed before Dylan Thomas was finally confirmed the winner.

Channon was thrilled by the run of Youmzain, who had got much closer to O'Brien's champion after finishing a four-lengths second to him in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in July.

The West Ilsley handler said: "We knew he was in good heart and realistically we knew there was one or two that could beat us. Dylan Thomas was one of those.

"I'm thrilled that our horse has turned up again and run his race. He is a very good horse."

And Hughes added: "It just took me 50 yards to get him in full flight - the winning post came a bit soon."

Channon did enjoy a Group 1 success at the weekend, though, with Majestic Roi springing a 16-1 surprise in the Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket.

Darryll Holland swooped late on the three-year-old filly to beat the crack pair Nannina and Echelon.

Channon commented: "You've got to believe in the horses, and she's a good filly. Little things have gone wrong, but we've always thought a lot of her."

Love Brothers, a 20-1 chance, was another big-price winner for Channon's yard when upsetting hotpot Geordieland in the Phil Bull Trophy at Pontefract.

Back at Newmarket, Eve Johnson Houghton, who trains at Blewbury near Didcot, celebrated her first Listed success as a trainer when Judd Street landed the G4S Rous Stakes.

Steve Carson powered the five-year-old home by a neck from Rowe Park in a thrilling finish to the five-furlong contest.

Johnson Houghton, who was recording the 20th winner of her rookie campaign, said: "He was really ill at the start of the year with a stomach disorder and we thought we might lose him."

Blewbury trainer Gerard Butler struck on the same Newmarket card with Blackat Blackitten, who ran out a four-length winner of a mile handicap under William Buick.

And he continued his winning spree when Bonus and Muhannak gave him a double at Kempton.

Nicky Mackay produced Bonus with a well-timed run to beat Beaver Patrol, from Johnson Houghton's yard, by half a length in a valuable six-furlong handicap.

And Muhannak benefitted from first-time blinkers as he romped home in a mile and a half handicap under Richard Kingscote.

Paul Cole, who trains at Whatcombe, near Wantage, was delighted to see River Proud put his lacklustre Doncaster run behind him with victory in the Group 3 Somerville Tattersall Stakes at Newmarket.

Cole explained that the colt had become upset in the stalls at Town Moor, but showed that running to be false as he battled home from Iguazu Falls.

Alan Jarvis, who trains at Twyford, near Bicester, provided Seb Sanders with a winner in his quest to be champion jockey when Lady Sorcerer scored at Kempton.

And Wantage trainer Henry Candy was also among the winners with the quirky Candle in a fillies' handicap at Goodwood.

Over the jumps, Milton Harris's Edgcote string, near Banbury, continue in fine fettle with 25-1 shot Minaad make a winning debut at Fontwell and Herecomestanley scoring at Uttoxeter.