The G1 Irish Champion S. at Leopardstown and the G1 Champion S. at Ascot have emerged as major targets for French star Almanzor (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). Jean-Claude Rouget's 3-year-old has not been seen in competitive action since he sprang something of a surprise in the G1 French Derby at Chantilly at the start of June, but he is closing in on a return. The Wootton Bassett colt holds an entry in the G1 Juddmonte International at York on Aug. 17, but Almanzor is instead set to reappear at Deauville two days earlier.
Rouget said, “I am thinking of taking Almanzor to Deauville for the [G2] Prix Guillaume d'Ornano [Aug. 15], then to Leopardstown for the [QIPCO] Irish Champion S. [Sept. 10] and after that to Ascot for the [QIPCO] Champion S. on Champions Day [Oct. 15]. That's the plan, but it can change.”
The Pau-based trainer landed the 2007 G1 Champion S., then run at Newmarket, with Literato.
“Literato was tough and so is Almanzor, both with good temperaments,” Rouget added. “Literato was a small horse with a big action. Almanzor has more scope and is bigger.”
Unbeaten stablemate La Cressonniere (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}), who won the G1 French Oaks in June, will warm up for the Oct. 2 G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in a Group 2 at Deauville later this month.
Rouget said, “La Cressonniere has the Arc as her target, but first she runs in the G2 Prix de la Nonette [Aug. 23] and we'll see after Deauville.”
Mekhtaal (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}), disappointing in the French Derby and then fourth in the G1 Grand Prix de Paris, could also run in the Arc, according to his trainer.
Rouget told www.ownerbreeder.co.uk, “He is very quiet, but a good horse. I am not anxious about his disappointing eighth in the Prix du Jockey Club because there was something wrong at the last minute and he just did not run his race.”
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