'You hate to see real champions beaten so far' - Big Rock and Facteur Cheval left out in the cold in Queen Anne

Charyn powers clear to win the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot

Facteur Cheval (pink silks) and Big Rock were left well adrift of Charyn in the Queen AnneCredit: Patrick McCann

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French trainers arrived on day one of Royal Ascot with high hopes but arguably two of their biggest chances were left out on the wing and without a prayer in a disappointing start to proceedings in the Queen Anne Stakes.

Christophe Soumillon on the front-running Big Rock and Maxime Guyon aboard Facteur Cheval eschewed the rest of the field's decision to head for the stands' side rail and were left isolated in the middle of the track.

A monstrously impressive winner of the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on deep ground last October, Big Rock's race was run by halfway, while Facteur Cheval also cracked inside the final two furlongs to finish sixth.

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Scott BurtonFrance correspondent

Published on 18 June 2024inReports

Last updated 19:28, 18 June 2024

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14:30 Ascot

Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series)13 ran

1st
5Charyn
fav100/30
2nd
6Docklands
10/1
3rd
11Maljoom
15/2