Yorkshire trainer David Nicholls enjoyed another Group One success when Continent won the Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp on Sunday.

Nicholls has a reputation for producing sprinting champions and Continent did not let him down in the 5f race, one of the five Group One races on the supporting card for the prestigious Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

It was a dramatic race with Continent's victory not confirmed until judges had spent over 15 minutes studying the photo finish.

Sunday's Group One winners

Prix du Cadran: Give Notice Prix de l'Abbaye: Continent Prix de l'Opera: Bright Sky Prix Marcel Boussac Criterium: Six Perfections Grand Criterium: Hold That Tiger Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe: Marienbard

They decided that Continent, ridden by Darryll Holland, had just got up to beat Italian hope Slap Shot by a short head.

It proved an embarrassment for Slap Shot's jockey Mirco Demuro, who, convinced he had won, performed a celebratory dismount in the winner's enclosure.

The horse's trainer Luigi Riccardi had also been convinved that he had trained his first Group winner.

Nicholls, whose other runner Bahamian Pirate came fourth, was delighted with the result.

"I can't believe it - I need a drink," he said,

"If he had finished first or second he would still have run a great race and he has been running well all year."

Jockey Holland admitted he thought he had come second.

British success

"When I saw the rug go on the other horse and the jockey celebrating I was certain I was second," he said.

It was the second consecutive victory for a British-trained horse after John Dunlop's Give Notice took the Prix du Cadran.

Johnny Murtagh guided the five-year-old gelding to victory, coming with a well-timed run to snatch the Group One marathon from Pushkin.

It was another controversial finish, with third placed Polish Summer and popular veteran Persian Punch both being disqualified after coming together in the closing stages.

"Johnny said he would cuddle the horse round and challenge in the last two furlongs," explained Dunlop.

"I've never heard of cuddling a horse before but it worked.

"I am absolutely delighted and he will stay in training next year."

I would like to keep her fresh for next year's Arc Alec Wildenstein Owner of Bright Sky

Six Perfections saw her odds cut for next year's 1,000 Guineas with a convincing victory in the Prix Marcel Boussac Criterium.

The Pascal Bary-trained filly came home a comfortable two lengths clear.

Bright Sky was also impressive in the Prix de l'Opera, beating Irrestistible Jewel by four lengths in the 1m4f event.

But owner Alec Wildenstein said after the race that the Elie Lellouches-trained filly would not be going for the Breeders' Cup meeting later this month.

"I would like to keep her fresh for next year's Arc," he said.

One of the most stunning performances of the afternoon came from Hold That Tiger, who came from last to first in the last 300m of the Grand Criterium.

Kieren Fallon's mount well-timed run denied Le Vie Dei Colori by half a length with Intercontinental a similar distance back in third.

The winner was one of four in the race trained by Aidan O'Brien but Spartacus, ridden by stable jockey Mick Kinane, had been thought to be a more likely winner.

"To be honest I was looking at Spartacus and then this horse came from nowhere," said winning owner Michael Tabor.

"I am not that surprised but he was very, very disappointing last time out and he showed that to be all wrong today."