Smullen: don't be too harsh on Harzand

Don't judge Harzand on his tame display in the Qipco Irish Champion Stakes. That's the message from Pat Smullen, who believes punters will see the dual Derby winner back to his best when he gets his optimum conditions in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Chantilly in October.

Harzand was struck into at Leopardstown last Saturday and Smullen thinks it is only fair to put a line through that lacklustre effort and judge him on his displays at Epsom and the Curragh instead over the Arc trip.

"In view of all the circumstances I'm happy to put a line through his performance at Leopardstown," Smullen told the Racing Post. "Back over a mile and a half at Chantilly and, with ground conditions to suit, I'd expect a very good run from him. He's proven himself to be top class over the distance. I rate him very highly and have a lot of faith in him."