British raider Arkadian Hero suffered an agonising defeat in the Atto Mile at Woodbine in Toronto last night.
The Luca Cumani-trained horse rallied after a very slow start and finished best of all but had to settle for second, beaten just a nose by surprise winner Riviera.
His disappointed rider Jamie Spencer, 20, said: 'He lost the race leaving the gate. He lost five lengths. Obviously he`s the best horse. He was 15 lengths off them after a half a furlong. It was disappointing.'
Godolphin`s Muhtathir led briefly in the straight but faded to finish fifth.
His rider Mike Smith said: 'We hit the front heading for home like I wanted to but we just couldn`t hold them off.'
The ex-French-based Riviera was a relatively unfancied 10-1 chance, having gained his two previous stakes race wins on disqualifications.
He was continuing the fine form of trainer Bobby Frankel, who has also landed the Arlington Million with Chester House and the Pacific Classic with Skimming recently.
