Almanzor is heading for Champions Day after his electric display in Ireland. Picture: Racingfotos.com
Jean-Claude Rouget has confirmed that Almanzor will run in the QIPCO Champion Stakes at Ascot on October 15.
Over the weekend Rouget told the Paris Turf, which is France’s equivalent of the Racing Post, that his brilliant colt would be heading for Champions Day in preference to the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe 13 days earlier.
He said the only way that Almanzor might possibly be redirected to the Arc is if La Cressonniere, his unbeaten stablemate who is in the same ownership and being aimed at the race, suffered a setback in the interim.
Almanzor, the French Derby winner, beat seven other Group One winners – including Harzand, Minding and Found – in superb style in the QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown this month.
Bookmakers generally quote Almanzor at 5/2 for the Champion Stakes. Last year’s first and second, Fascinating Rock (7/1) and Found (8/1), are next in the market, with Highland Reel, My Dream Boat, Minding and Hawkbill – all winners in this year QIPCO British Champions Series – quoted at 14/1 or bigger.
My Dream Boat, the Prince of Wales’s Stakes winner, finished a highly respectable fifth in the Irish Champion Stakes and will re-oppose Almanzor.
“I was very happy with My Dream Boat in what was a hotly-contested Group One,” said Clive Cox on Sunday.
“To be part of it and perform how he did in such an event, we were thrilled. Even though he didn’t win, he ran another solid race and confirmed his well-being.
“He has come out of the race well and we will be looking at the Champion Stakes. We are very relaxed about this time of year as we are likely to get more rain than not, so he should have his perfect surface.”
