Almanzor up for Ascot challenge

Jean-Claude Rouget is in no mood to shirk a potential rematch with Arc heroine found in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot on October 15.

Rouget pin-pointed the Ascot contest for Almanzor after he finished strongly to overhaul Frankie Dettori and Found in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown last month.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained filly has since gone on to record an impressive success in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Chantilly, part of a one-two-three in the race for the Ballydoyle supremo as Highland Reel and Order Of St George filled the minor placings.

O’Brien says he will give Found some time before committing to the Champion Stakes, but Rouget has confirmed that his French Derby hero remains bang on course.

“The horse is well and we hope to bring him to Ascot in his best form.

So far he has had no problems in his preparation, but we still have [a few] days to go.”

Almanzor was produced to lead late on at Leopardstown by Christophe Soumillon and was well on top of Found at the winning post despite a margin of just three-quarters-of-a-length.

Asked about a potential rematch with Found, Rouget said: “I don’t know (what else is running).

I just concentrate on my own horse, the others are not my problem.” Last year’s winner Fascinating Rock remains in the Champion Stakes picture for trainer Dermot Weld.

He was forced to abort plans to run in the Arc last week, insisting that his charge was a few days away from being ready to run.