Excelebration takes the Prix du Moulin Excelebration claimed a first Group One win in the Qatar Prix du Moulin at Longchamp this afternoon. Marco Botti's rising star was partnered for the first time by Jamie Spencer and was keen through the early stages. However he soon settled in third place as Handsome Maestro cut out the early running on soft ground. The rain continued to fall throughout the contest but the winner made light of the conditions, quickening smartly to reel-in Rio De La Plata, who raced second throughout, and go to the front. The Godolphin runner tried to rally but had to settle for the runner-up berth for the second successive season with Rajsaman, last of four behind Frankel in the Sussex Stakes last time, faring best of the home team in third. Dubawi Gold was dropped out at the rear of the field by Richard Hughes and came through for fourth without being able to land a blow. Aidan O'Brien's Zoffany was a non-runner. Botti said: "I was a bit worried about the ground, but he got away with it. "He's got two options now either going to Ascot (for the QEII) or to the Breeders' Cup and it's up to the owners to decide. "He'll either have to face Frankel or Goldikova, but he deserves the chance to step up to another level."
