Leading Cox Plate contender Adelaide has finished an unlucky third in the Group Two Prox Neil at Longchamp won by Ectot.
The Aidan O'Brien-trained Adelaide, who is at $16 for the Cox Plate on October 25, won the Secretariat Stakes in the United States at his previous start.
The Irish horse was left with nowhere to go a furlong (200m) out, but flew home once switched wide by Ryan Moore and may well have shaken up the winner with a clearer run.
Plans are for Adelaide to run in the Cox Plate in O'Brien's name before being switched to Chris Waller to do his future racing in Australia.