West Ilsley trainer Mick Channon was left with mixed emotions after Youmzain finished a gallant runner-up in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp for the second successive year.

The pride at the way his stable star had run was tinged with disappointment that the five-year-old had been unable to have a real crack at the brilliant winner Zarkava after meeting slight trouble in running.

Richard Hills's mount looked to be tra velling as well as anything approaching the final furlong.

But as Zarkava cut majestically through her rivals, Youmzain, a head second to Dylan Thomas 12 months ago, had to be switched in a move that cost him valuable momentum.

At the line he was two lengths adrift of the winner, although it did bring connections the substantial runners-up prize of £672,353.

Channon watched the race from home as he continues his recovery from the horrific car crash which claimed the life of his long-time friend Tim Corby.

And he said: "I'm chuffed to bits with Youmzain, it was a big run, but I just feel we weren't able to have a fair cut at the winner."

Channon revealed that Youmzain is set to remain in training as a six-year-old, and added: "Everything went brilliantly until that one moment late on, when we had to switch outside and chase her.

"He's run a cracker. He's a racehorse, and all being well will still be around next season."

Meanwhile, Channon notched an across-the-card juvenile double with Rileyskeepingfaith and Montaff at Salisbury and Newcastle repectively.

Darryll Holland coasted home by seven lengths on Rileyskeepingfaith from his two rivals in a seven-furlong novice stakes.

But Eddie Creighton had to work harder to get Montaff home by three-quarters of a length in a mile maiden.

Whatcombe trainer Paul Cole unveiled a potentially smart prospect when Serva Jugum made a winning debut at Kempton.

A son of Fusaichi Pegasus, the two-year-old, who cost $150,000 as a yearling before being resold earlier this year for $250,000, stormed home by two lengths from Aurorian in a mile conditions event in the hands of Stephen Donohoe.

East Ilsley trainer Hughie Morrison tends to give his juveniles plenty of time, so it came as something of a surprise to him when State Banquet made a winning debut at Salisbury.

Another son of Fusaichi Pegasus, and a $230,000 yearling, he could have a bright future after beating Sandor and Decision in a finish of necks in a mile maiden under Travis Block.

Kingston Lisle trainer David Pinder has a much smaller string, but he saddled Gazboolou to post back-to-back wins at Kempton.

Chris Catlin got the four-year-old home by a head from Carmenero in a seven-furlong handicap, but picked up a two-day ban for careless riding in the process.