Brametot on course to tackle QIPCO Champion Stakes

Rouget struck with Almanzor in the Champion Stakes last year. Picture: Racingfotos.com

Brametot is set to try and provide trainer Jean-Claude Rouget with a second successive victory in the £1.3 million QIPCO Champion Stakes at Ascot on October 21.

Rouget won with the brilliant Almanzor 12 months ago and the Champion Stakes is under serious consideration for Brametot after his fine effort to finish fifth in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe last Sunday.

Brametot won the French 2000 Guineas and the French Derby this year year, but his previous problems with the starting stalls came back to haunt him when he could only finish fifth behind the Martyn Meade-trained Eminent in the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano at Deauville in August.

However, with a physical ailment subsequently discovered and rectified, the three-year-old showed his true colours in Europe’s premier middle-distance contest, breaking on terms and finishing on the heels of the placed horses behind Enable.

Harry Herbert, racing manager for owners Al Shaqab Racing, said: “He ran a terrific race and we were really pleased that he jumped well and travelled well through the race

“We discovered he’d had a sore back. We managed to sort that and he consequently ran much better in the Arc. It was a little unfortunate he met a few traffic problems. He wouldn’t have beaten the winner, of course, but he may well have been placed if he hadn’t had trouble in running at a crucial stage in the straight

“He’s come out of the race well and he’s a possible for the Champion Stakes. If Jean-Claude is happy with him, I think we have to look seriously at going to Ascot.”

Brametot is a general 10-1 for the Champion Stakes.