Tarnawa wins Prix Vermeille at ParisLongchamp for Dermot Weld

All eyes were on big home hope Raabihah beforehand as she was expected to underline her credentials for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, but she was given plenty to do and could only finish second behind the Dermot Weld-trained victor.

Tarnawa's (5/1) own form claims had already been advertised with old foe Cayenne Pepper winning at Group Two level in Ireland earlier in the afternoon and the four-year-old daughter of Shamardal proved herself a top-class filly herself with a thoroughly taking display.

Christophe Soumillon was happy to bide his time in the early exchanges but he made his move as the runners turned for home and Tarnawa picked up in fine style, powering into the lead inside the final furlong and stretching right away in the closing stages.

Raabihah ran on well to snatch second from the frontrunning Dame Malliot having been anchored at the back of the field for much of the race, but she didn't pick up in the same style as the Irish filly who now has options aplenty this autumn.

Weld was represented on course by his son Mark, who told Sky Sports Racing: “It’s absolutely fantastic – she’s a wonderful filly. Thank you so much to His Highness the Aga Khan, his family and all his team.

“This is a very prestigious race. She’s a very good filly and deserved the step up to a Group One.

“She was very impressive last time at Cork, so we were hopeful.”

Whether Tarnawa returns to Paris next month for either the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe or the Prix de l’Opera is up for discussion.

Weld added: “I’ve spoken to my father and we have to talk to the Aga Khan’s team. Today was the day for now, but she was so impressive, so it (Arc) is a possibility.”

Dermot Weld said from the Curragh “It was always the plan to have an autumn campaign with her.

“When she came back to me from Giltown Stud she was in great condition and she won the Group Three from Cayenne Pepper (who won the Blandford) which was a real performance and it was a beautiful performance today.

“I purposefully targeted the second half of the year. I’ll speak to His Highness the Aga Khan and Pat Downes (racing manager) and we’ll come up with a plan for her.”

Despite the reverse, Jean-Claude Rouget was not ruling anything out for Raabihah.

He said: “She ran well, but now she is against tougher rivals. She is changing category, she has proved that she is the best three-year-old filly in France.

“We will see how she is over the next two weeks, but if she is well in herself she will run in the Arc.”