The Aga Khan was denied a famous Derby double at Chantilly on Sunday when Almanzor outstayed his Zarak to the line in the Prix Du Jockey Club.
The prominent owner secured his fifth Derby success at Epsom on Saturday with Harzand but Zarak had no answer to the greater momentum displayed by Almanzor, who beat his rival by a length and a half under Jean-Bernard Eyquem. Dicton was a length and three quarters away in third.
It was a first win in the race for Eyquem and was a second victory in the Classic for trainer Jean-Claude Rouget, who first won with Le Havre in 2009.
“He is improving, and I had no doubts at all about the trip or his condition coming into the race,” Rouget said.
English raider Robin Of Navan, who had finished second to Godolphin’s Cloth Of Stars in the Prix Greffulhe last month, set the pace under Tony Piccone with Godolphin’s Talismanic and Mickael Barzalona tracking Imperial Aviator, another English challenger, in behind.
Zarak was wisely held up in the rear by Christophe Soumillon, with the well-fancied Mekhtaal in last place for jockey Gregory Benoist.
Turning in to the straight it was obvious that Piccone had timed his fractions poorly on the heavy ground as Talismanic burned off Robin Of Navan’s fading challenge only for Almanzor to burst through the pack pursued by Zarak.
Although both horses galloped to the line, the soft ground had a significant effect as the time of 2m.11.62s was the slowest ever produced since the race moved back to 2,100 metres in 2005.
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On Women's Day
Dr Nawal Al-Hosany: Why more women should be on the frontlines of climate action
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The National Editorial: Is there much to celebrate on International Women's Day 2021?
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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
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MATCH INFO
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Croatia 1 (Vlasic 09')
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The National Editorial: Is there much to celebrate on International Women's Day 2021?
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Day 4, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Lahiru Gamage appeared to have been hard done by when he had his dismissal of Sami Aslam chalked off for a no-ball. Replays suggested he had not overstepped. No matter. Two balls later, the exact same combination – Gamage the bowler and Kusal Mendis at second slip – combined again to send Aslam back.
Stat of the day Haris Sohail took three wickets for one run in the only over he bowled, to end the Sri Lanka second innings in a hurry. That was as many as he had managed in total in his 10-year, 58-match first-class career to date. It was also the first time a bowler had taken three wickets having bowled just one over in an innings in Tests.
The verdict Just 119 more and with five wickets remaining seems like a perfectly attainable target for Pakistan. Factor in the fact the pitch is worn, is turning prodigiously, and that Sri Lanka’s seam bowlers have also been finding the strip to their liking, it is apparent the task is still a tough one. Still, though, thanks to Asad Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed, it is possible.
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hall of shame
SUNDERLAND 2002-03
No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.
SUNDERLAND 2005-06
Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.
HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19
Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.
ASTON VILLA 2015-16
Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.
FULHAM 2018-19
Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.
LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.
BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66
