Robin Of Navan finds Mekhtaal too strong but does Dunlop proud

Mekhtaal set up a potential crack at the Prince of Wales's Stakes in running down the Harry Dunlop-trained Robin Of Navan to land his first Group 1 success by a neck in the Prix d'Ispahan at Chantilly on Sunday.

The son of Sea The Stars was sent off second favourite for last season's Prix du Jockey Club off the back of an impressive trial success at Deauville but has only really started to fulfil his potential this season.

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"He has matured since last year, when he never settled properly," said trainer Jean-Claude Rouget. "There aren't a lot of races for him so we'll see how he comes out of this and then look at the Prince of Wales's, with the two Champion Stakes obvious targets."

Rouget could soon be on his travels across the English Channel with last season's European Horse of the Year Almanzor, who is being brought back slowly after suffering from a virus in April.

"It will be too tight for Almanzor to run here [in La Coupe] on June 17 so I'm looking at the Group 2 Sky Bet York Stakes on July 29 for his comeback and then, if all goes well, the Juddmonte International," revealed Rouget.

Robin Of Navan ran a huge race to be beaten just a neck in the Prix d'IspahanCredit: Edward Whitaker

Dunlop was left stranded in Britain by British Airways' technical problems but Robin Of Navan didn't lack for support as he narrowly failed to make all under Cristian Demuro.

"I couldn't understand why he was 25-1 as he was only a length begind Mekhtaal last time, and he's run brilliantly," said co-owner Richard Foden.

Zarak was unable to figure on ground too quick for him over this nine-furlong trip and is likely now to be stepped up to a mile and a half for the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.

His trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre was able to celebrate a Group 2 winner later in the day as Vazirabad overcame a farcical pace to win the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier, putting him spot on for a crack at the Gold Cup at Ascot.

Full result