ALMOST 27,000 were in attendance at Chantilly last Sunday to witness the crowning moment of Francis Graffard’s training career as the Nathaniel filly Channel gave him his first classic triumph in the Group 1 Prix de Diane.

This 10-and-a-half furlong €1 million fillies’ contest was an unsatisfactory affair with regards to pace which was slow early and led to just four and a half lengths covering the first dozen across the line.