Rouget sticks with Ascot plan for Almanzor

Almanzor remains firmly on course to run in the QIPCO Champion Stakes. Picture: Racingfotos.com

Jean-Claude Rouget has confirmed that Almanzor will run in the QIPCO Champion Stakes at Ascot on October 15.

The trainer said on Sunday evening that his brilliant colt would not be switched to the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe next weekend despite a setback ruling La Cressonniere, a stablemate who is in the same ownership, out of the race.

Rouget stressed plans for Almanzor, winner of the French Derby and Qipco Irish Champion Stakes, would not change,and he will still be aimed at Champions Day.

He said: “Almanzor will not run [in the Arc]. He will go to Ascot.”

La Cressonniere will stay in training, raising the prospect of her featuring in the 2017 QIPCO British Champions Series.

She had been aimed at the Chantilly feature on the back of victories in the French 1000 Guineas and Oaks, and enjoyed a straightforward prep race at Deauville last month.

“There is a problem, not a very strong problem but we had to do treatment and that means we cannot run her on Sunday,” Rouget said. “It’s not very important for the future, but enough for her not to run on Sunday.”

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