ITB_Oct2016

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uk racing

Almanzor has won seven of his nine races, his only defeats coming on bottomless ground in the Criterium International at Saint-Cloud last November, and when a close third to Dicton on his return to action in the Prix de Fontainebleau at Chantilly in April. His next option is either the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, for which his Irish performance promoted him to second favourite behind Postponed, or the Champion Stakes at Ascot, with Rouget favouring the shorter contest. His team also have Arc third favourite La Cressonniere, like Almanzor owned by

When your horse is relaxed, you can finish. And afterwards Christophe told me it was quite an easy race for Almanzor

Spaniard Antonio Caro and Gerard AugustinNormand. Harzand’s disappointing display at Leopardstown can be excused – the Epsom and Irish Derby hero finished sore after being struck into behind at some point during the race, and was eased from second spot in the Arc market. But if his owner the Aga Khan was to find any consolation on the day, it may have been in the part his breeding operation played in Almanzor’s production. Almanzor is from the first crop of high-

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