Dunaden has come up short in his bid to win a first European Group One, finishing second to German raider Novellist in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.

The winner of the 2011 Melbourne Cup and 2012 Caulfield Cup, Dunaden closed hard in the final stages but could not catch the winner while Cirrus Des Aigles was a tiring fifth.

Trainer Andreas Wohler will now aim Novellist at the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on July 27.

"That was great. He had a perfect run round and Ryan (Moore) even said he got to the front a little bit too soon," Wohler said.

"If he is OK and everything goes well, hopefully he will run in the King George at Ascot.

"It will be a tougher race than this, but we want to try and see what happens.

"The ground was a little bit soft for him. He doesn't mind good ground, but I wouldn't like to run him on very fast ground."

David Redvers, racing manager for Dunaden's owners Pearl Bloodstock, said the horse would be given a short break before embarking on a campaign towards the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in October.

Cirrus Des Aigles is officially the highest-rated horse in the world following the retirement of his Ascot conqueror Frankel.

His return to action had been delayed after he suffered a setback, but he was still an even-money favourite to make a winning return to action.

Although he moved sweetly for much of the journey, the mile and a half (2400m) appeared to stretch his stamina and he faded inside the final furlong (200m).

Trainer Corine Barande-Barbe said the distance was a little too far but plans remained intact for Cirrus Des Aigles.