QIPCO CHAMPION

STAKES (GROUP 1)

ASCOT’S glittering Champions Day programme involved any number of equine stars but one shone rather more brightly than all the rest. In landing the Group 1 Qipco Champion Stakes, French challenger Almanzor was following up his victory in the Irish equivalent at Leopardstown, in the process increasing the winning margin over Aidan O’Brien’s Arc heroine Found to a comfortable two lengths.

John Gosden’s Maverick Wave made the running for stable-companion Jack Hobbs with Racing History following him into the straight. Almanzor had not been particularly well away but Christophe Soumillon soon had him in a challenging position and, when the leaders dropped away, the 11/8 favourite hit the front before the furlong pole.

Found came from off the pace with every chance but the winner was simply too good in the closing stages. Jack Hobbs kept on well to be beaten just under another two lengths in third, with My Dream Boat and The Grey Gatsby, who hit the front approaching two out and ran easily his best race of the season, fourth and fifth.

SPIRITED DEBATE

Most top-class races prompt spirited debate afterwards and this one was no exception. Found certainly lost nothing in defeat and, as a four-year-old filly, was trying to concede 2lb to the year-younger Almanzor.

Some thought she might have sidestepped the Arc in favour of last week’s contest; others opined that, had Almanzor gone to Chantilly, he would have prevailed. There is no telling, of course, and the Arc would have been his first attempt at a mile and a half. He is brilliant at 10 furlongs, as he showed in the Prix du Jockey-Club, and trainer Jean-Claude Rouget was always going to stick to his original plan, despite having to rule Prix de Diane winner La Cressonniere out of the Chantilly showpiece.

“It was the programme since the summer and I didn’t change my mind,” the ultra-prolific handler, who spent time with Paul Cole and Ian Balding may years ago, said afterwards. “We had five weeks between the two races (the two Champion Stakes) and for me it was a better configuration than to run in the Arc. I’m very happy with my choice and I was not the one who was ever going to have any regrets. When you’re a professional you have to be like that, right to the end.”

Ascot will have been more than happy with Rouget’s choice and, indeed, his overall opinion of the venue. “It’s my third Group 1 win here,” he added. “For me it’s the paradise of racing and I love to win here. There is no need to go for the Breeders’ Cup because he stays in training at four and we should be back for the royal meeting, then we’ll think about the Arc.”

Soumillon is certain the son of Wootton Bassett is one of the best horses he has ever ridden.

“His turn of foot really amazed me last time and it was the same again today,” he said. “My only thought was not to wait for Found as I know how strong she is. I did not want to give her a chance.”

Found is very tough and O’Brien is not ruling out a trip to Santa Anita for a repeat bid in the Breeders’ Cup Turf. It is worth bearing in mind that she ran in the Irish Champion, the Arc, the Champion Stakes and the Turf last year.