Christophe Soumillon settled the six-year-old nearer to the pace than usual as Egyptian Ra tried to make all. However, the result was never really in doubt from some way out as Soumillon oozed confidence on the Andreas Schutz-trained superstar and he streaked away to win in a new track record time.
Able One ran on well for second and Egyptian Ra stuck to his task well for third.

Soumillon controversially replaced Olivier Deleuze at the request of the owner, John Yuen Si Kit for the race.
The English raiders, Major Cadeaux, Laa Rayb and Pressing were well beaten.

Soumillon said of the riding arrangements: "It is not very easy to take a horse off a friend but I spoke to Andreas before the race and it was the right option.

"I was happy to accept the ride but I felt sorry for Olivier. A big double in a race like this is very hard but they did a great job with the horse and I rode my race and he got the track record. He is a great miler, he is probably the best miler in the world today."

Schutz added: "To win is beyond expectation. I am delighted for the horse, jockey and trainer. The horse has been produced to a high standard to break the track record, he is a great horse.

"I always thought he was a champion, from the first day I had him I said he could win Group races and last year we were proven right. I was always confident today, he looked great but I was not sure if he could win with a Breeders' Cup runner-up (Kip Deville) in the field."

Darren Beadman, who rode the runner-up, said: "He had a nice run, I would have liked to have squeezed some more out of him but the winner was just too good and he still ran a great race."

EGYPT NEWS

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