'Who would have believed we’d be lining up in a Prix de Diane?' - Tony Piccone and Patrice Cottier toast Sparkling Plenty's success

David Menuisier's dream of a first French Classic success faded in the final 100 metres of a pulsating Prix de Diane Longines as Tamfana was hauled in by an irresistible late burst from Sparkling Plenty. 

The winner was backing up quickly after landing the Group 2 Prix de Sandringham over a mile two weeks earlier, and partnered for the first time by Tony Piccone, who was called up when regular rider Cristian Demuro failed to recover from a hand injury. 

The racing wheel of fortune has turned rapidly in the last month for Piccone, who lost the ride on Prix du Jockey Club favourite Fast Tracker when he was bought by Wathnan Racing. 

For trainer Patrice Cottier, victory kicked off what could be a landmark week, with Horizon Dore a leading fancy for Wednesday's Prince of Wales's Stakes and Classic Flower also due to line up in the Commonwealth Cup. 

And for owner-breeder Jean-Pierre Dubois, it was the biggest thoroughbred success of a career in which he has bred, owned, trained and driven the winners of every major prize the sport of trotting has to offer.

Piccone had just two behind him turning for home off what was far from a frantic pace but got to the leaders between the two and the one poles before his mount stuck out her neck to deny Survie by a head, with Tamfana half a length away in third.

Tony Piccone and owner-breeder Jean-Pierre Dubois after Sparkling Plenty's success

"The race was pretty simple and the only instruction from her entourage was to get her to relax as much as possible because she can be a bit keen," said Piccone.

"I felt I was going to win the whole way up the straight and my only moment of slight concern was about 100 metres from the line when she was very briefly unbalanced, but really, despite the close margins, I felt I had the others covered."

After Demuro gave up his race to be fit midweek, Cottier and Dubois turned to Piccone, who won the Prix du Moulin in the same silks on Sauterne. 

A former jump jockey, Cottier found it hard to articulate what victory in such a prestigious race meant, and it was left to Piccone to reveal the conversation the two had shared in the moments before Sparkling Plenty went to post.

He said: "I’ve known Patrice since I was very young and he’s watched me grow up. Before the race when he gave me the leg-up he only said one thing, 'Who would have believed we’d be lining up in a Prix de Diane?'"

The future for Sparkling Plenty remains unclear as she is catalogued for Monday's pre-Ascot Goffs London Sale, leaving Dubois to admit he had "plenty to reflect on".

Nicolas Clement, who watched Survie run the race of her life in company with his brother Christophe, a successful trainer in the United States, said: "I really thought she might do it, especially 100 metres from the line.

"Survie has handled herself brilliantly because she had a wide trip and got a couple of little bumps. She’s not a straightforward ride but Stephane [Pasquier] really gets on with her and she showed she is as hard as nails."

David Menuisier and Tamfana after finishing third in the Prix de Diane Longines at ChantillyCredit: Racing Post/Burton

Menuisier had been working backwards from the Diane since last year but admitted that in light of her luckless fourth in the 1,000 Guineas, the trip might just have stretched Tamfana.

"She ran her heart out and she had every chance," he said. "She’s done the hard work at the front and I’m proud because she did all she could. But I’m a bit disappointed as well because she looked like the winner. 

"I think she showed more kick over a mile and we might have got this one wrong. But we can correct that one later on. Perhaps the trip was just too far for her. We thought the Diane was her ideal race but I’m not convinced. But we’ve been beaten by two very good fillies."

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David Menuisier banking on change of luck for Tamfana with 'tactical speed' to her advantage in French Classic bid 

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