Arcano shook up the market for next May's 2,000 Guineas after bursting the bubble of Canford Cliffs in the Darley Prix Morny at Deauville.

The Richard Hannon-trained Canford Cliffs was sent off the 4-9 favourite to follow up his brilliant victory in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, but the electric acceleration he had showed in his first two starts deserted him.

He failed to pick up when asked by jockey Richard Hughes and could only finish a well-held third.

Skybet reacted by pushing the son of Tagula out to 10-1 (from 5-1 favourite) for the Guineas and cutting the Brian Meehan-trained Arcano to 8-1 favourite (from 16s).

Hannon hinted that something was amiss with Canford Cliffs after the colt lost his unbeaten record in the Group 1 six-furlong event.

"It is too early to say, but something was not quite right. That's not the horse we know. He hasn't run his race for whatever reason," said Hannon.

"It might have been that the ground was too fast for him, but I can't say for sure until we get him home and have a look at him."

July Stakes winner Arcano was settled at the rear of the field by Richard Hills in the five-runner field but, once the jockey asked for maximum effort, the 9-2 chance picked up strongly to narrowly edge out the pace-setting filly Special Duty in the shadow of the post.

Victory extended the colt's unbeaten sequence to three on his first start at the top level for Meehan.

The victorious trainer said: "It's a tremendous win because it's his first for his new owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum. Arcano is still immature but he's entitled to be Guineas favourite and getting a mile will not be an issue."

Ladbrokes were seemingly not impressed by Special Duty's gutsy display against the colts, quoting the Criquette Head-Maarek-trained filly at 33-1 for the 1,000 Guineas.

Meanwhile, Godolphin's Schiaparelli remained unchanged at 33-1 for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe despite trouncing two opponents in the Darley Prix Kergorlay.

The son of Monsun will now drop back in trip for his next race.

Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford said: "We are now going to have a serious look at the Prix Foy (over 1m4f) and Schiaparelli is entered in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe."

2000 Guineas (Skybet): 8 Arcano, 10 Canford Cliffs, Alfred Nobel, 12 Steinbeck, 14 Cape Blanco, 16 Al Zir, Kingsfort, Elusive Pimpernel, Showcasing, 20 bar.