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Tribune News Network
Doha
The Al Shaqab Racing-owned Mekhtaal proved the strongest in the Prix d'Ispahan (Gr1) at Chantilly on Sunday.
After cantering on the outside of Robin Of Navan, in the lead, he attacked him in the middle of the home straight.
He kept accelerating and did not let go in order to take the best out of Robin Of Navan, second, half a length behind.
Trainer of Mekhtaal, Jean-Claude Rouget, said:"He has matured this year. We respected him at 3yos knowing that he would be better this year. He had already done an excellent seasonal debut. I really liked the way he performed today and his turn of foot 150m from the post. He could go to Royal Ascot, for the Prince of Wales's Stakes, and then in the autumn, run the Champion Stakes, in England and Ireland. He beats a real lot of Group horses today, it is really good."
Mekhtaal was second of the Prix d'Harcourt (Gr2) on his return at 4yos and winner of the Prix Hocquart (Gr3) in 2016. This is his first Gr1 success.
