Bolshoi Ballet knocked out of Niel by stewards as Deep Bond powers home in Foy

There was drama even before the stalls opened on the first of the day's three trials, the Prix Niel, when Bolshoi Ballet was scratched by the Longchamp stewards for an irregularity with the vaccination record in his passport.

Although the son of Galileo is currently correctly vaccinated against equine influenza, he had been allowed to go just past the six-month limit when given his most recent shot on May 18, a date which crucially falls after long-trailed new rules came into force on May 5.

Speaking at the Curragh, O'Brien said: "There were 182 days between two of his vaccinations, where they said there should be 180 days.

"He is after racing everywhere all over the world and his passport was checked by two of our vets before he went. Seemingly in some countries there is a four or five days' grace rule, if there is that little in it, but that rule isn't in France.

"We were running him there back at a mile and a half to see if he would be in the Arc picture, so it does mess up plans a bit. I don't know what we will do now and it could be less likely he will go for the Arc. We'll have to go back to the drawing board now."

Gerald Mosse and Mikel Delzangles watch the replay of the Prix Niel while waiting for the judge's verdictCredit: Racing Post/Scott Burton

In Bolshoi Ballet's absence, the race was won by Bubble Gift. A Group 2 scorer in the spring, Bubble Gift was cut from 100-1 to 50-1 by Paddy Power for the Arc, although Mikel Delzangles did not immediately commit the son of Nathaniel.

"He has the right to run in the Arc, and so we'll discuss it with the owners and look at the opposition nearer the time, it's a hard race," said Delzangles. "He could be stepped up in trip or run abroad, all the options are open.

"He stays well but to you need to be able to accelerate as well on good ground at Longchamp."

Deep Bond and Cristian Demuro break clear of their toiling rivals in the Prix FoyCredit: Scoop Dyga/France Galop

Deep Bond knocked over some tall reputations including the highest-rated horse in France, Skalleti, and Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud winner Broome, as he galloped his rivals senseless in a brutal Prix Foy.

The strapping son of 2013 Prix Niel winner Kizuna was halved in price for the Arc by Paddy Power and Coral, who both went 20-1 (from 40).

Japan has twice gone close in the Arc with staying types who attempted to bludgeon their rivals into submission, with Nakayama Festa just ground down by Workforce in 2010, while only the brilliance of Montjeu denied El Condor Pasa in a 1999 race for the ages.

"He is a big horse but very dynamic and he was able to accelerate in just a few strides," said trainer Ryuji Okubo. "The races in Japan tend to be quite fast throughout and he has to follow the pace. But today he enjoyed putting his own rhythm to the race and he fought well at the end to hold on.

"If they go faster the day of the Arc de Triomphe he will be able to adapt and it will suit him even better."

While Broome made some inroads into the winner's advantage late on, the tracking sectionals suggest Deep Bond was not really slowing at the end, with his last four furlongs all breaking 12 seconds on what was his first start since May.

"He is still progressing for his break and I think there is more to come in the next few weeks," said Okubo. "He has already put in some very good performances on soft ground in Japan, which I think was similar to the conditions he encountered here today.

"It's a question mark as to whether he’ll cope if it gets even softer here but the ground today was perfect. "

Watch live races through the Racing Post. Log in to your bookmaker account and look on the racecards for eligible races. Click the red 'Watch live now' icon and they're off! Find out how here