Arcano galloped to the head of the betting with most bookmakers for next year's 2000 Guineas after Brian Meehan's colt dented the reputation of Canford Cliffs in the Darley Prix Morny at Deauville on Sunday.
The latter was a warm order for the first Classic of 2010 after his breakaway success at Royal Ascot, but Richard Hannon's speedy juvenile failed to replicate that run and was narrowly beaten into third in a bunched finish.
Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum stepped in to purchase Arcano following his July Stakes success, and Meehan was delighted to get off the mark for his new patron.
The owner's retained jockey Richard Hills tracked Canford Cliffs during the first half of the race, until Richard Hughes took the 4-9 favourite to the stands rail.
Hills kept Arcano within the main body of the field after Hughes manoeuvred left, but it was only in the dying strides that the 9-2 chance picked off Special Duty to emerge best of all.
Meehan said: ‘My horse is still a baby and there is masses of improvement still to come.
‘He's entitled to be Guineas favourite now and getting a mile will not be an issue.’
Arcano is likely to have just the one more run this year and that may come in the Dewhurst Stakes.
Angus Gold, racing manager for Hamdan Al Maktoum, added: ‘We'll have to see what happens in the next few weeks but I imagine Sheikh Hamdan would love to see him win the Dewhurst.’
Canford Cliffs' connections were at a loss to explain his run, which lacked the killer punch of his six-length Ascot romp.
Richard Hannon jnr, the trainer's son and assistant, said: ‘He had every chance, but he didn't pick up like he normally does.’
Frankie Dettori made it four winners for the weekend with a short-priced double courtesy of Schiaparelli and Charity Belle.
Dettori took the starring role on Variety Club Charity day at Sandown on Saturday, and remained in the spotlight with two Group wins.
First up was Goodwood Cup winner Schiaparelli, who continued to progress for Godolphin by proving a cut above as the 1-5 favourite in the Darley Prix Kergorlay.
Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford said: ‘He was second in the Prix Foy last year to Zambezi Sun, so we'll look at taking him back to Longchamp for that.’
The Italian then made all of the running aboard John Gosden's Charity Belle in the Darley Prix de la Nonette.
The filly had challengers queuing up on all sides inside the final two furlongs, but Dettori extracted more from the 11-1 chance and she just fended off the attentions of Article Rare.
Dettori nearly bagged the Group One Darley Prix Jean Romanet, only for Alpine Rose to get the better of the argument and deny Godolphin's Lady Marian by a short head.
