Hurricane And Soumillon Go Down A Storm

Kieren Fallon may have been missing from the saddle but reunited with an old comrade in Christophe Soumillon, Hurricane Run claimed a last-gasp victory in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot.

With the man who drove him home in last year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe suspended from riding in Britain pending a High Court trial next year, the Belgian ace stepped in for the ride on Andre Fabre's four-year-old.

And despite having his critics, Soumillon held his own when driving the 5-6 favourite up the far rail to beat Godolphin's Electrocutionist by half a length, with Japanese raider Heart's Cry the same distance back in third.

Hurricane Run hit his customary flat spot on the turn for home and he started to back-pedal before Soumillon galvanised his mount and got him rolling forward.

However, Frankie Dettori on the eventual runner-up and Christophe Lemaire aboard Heart's Cry blocked him in and it was not until the final furlong that Hurricane Run got the gap he needed.

Heart's Cry looked to have stolen an advantage when going clear in the closing stages but both Electrocutionist and Hurricane Run fought back bravely, all of which resulted in the great spectacle of the three racing in a line inside the distance.

But Hurricane Run's superiority told in the finish and he crossed the line with more in hand than the official margin would suggest.

Fabre had seen his six previous King George runners sunk without trace, so was understandably thrilled at the his first win in the mile-and-a-half showpiece.

'It was a little difficult in the middle of the race as it seemed as if he was going to be blocked in,' he said.

'Everyone knows my opinion about Christophe, he is one of the best jockeys in the world and for me he is just part of the team.

'I must give credit to Kieren who had to miss the race, he has taught the horse how to race.'

Bookmakers were quick to slash Hurricane Run's odds for a repeat win at Longchamp in October ? Stan James went 2-1 favourite from 3s, Totesport 9-4, and both bet365 and William Hill offering 5-2.

'He could have a prep race in the Prix Foy or he could go straight there, but he will probably go for the Breeders' Cup as well,' Fabre said.

The trainer will also run Coronation Cup winner Shirocco in the Arc, and he added: 'Shirocco will also run and he is a super horse.'

Hurricane Run has now won eight of his 10 starts having finished runner-up on his other two outings, with Chantilly-based Fabre admitting a lack of fitness probably accounted for a shock defeat last month.

'He did not have a true race in Ireland (when winning the Tattersalls Gold Cup) and he was not at full tune last time,' he said.

'But if I had the choice of winning the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud or the King George I would prefer the King George.'

Soumillon, who partnered Hurricane Run in the early part of his career before his purchase by Michael Tabor and Coolmore, said: 'I wasn't that worried when Frankie came on my outside.

'Frankie wouldn't have let me move out so my only option was to sit and wait on the inside and just hope there was room.

'I knew this horse would pick up for me as he is a true Group One horse, he made up 10 lengths in the Arc.

'I always thought he was the best horse in the race and I want to thank connections for putting me back on again.

'I have come here with good chances recently and I have been beaten so to win today is a memory I will remember for the rest of my life.

'I am really upset for Kieren as what has happened is not nice but we have a saying in France that one person's bad luck is another person's good luck.

'But he will ride him again in the Arc and I know he will do a great job.'

Soumillon received a six-day ban for using his whip with excessive frequency on the winner and he will be out of action on August 9-14 inclusive.

Fallon has been an integral part of the Hurricane Run success story and Tabor described his absence as 'sad'.

He said: 'We all sat down and discussed who would ride but we left the decision down to Andre knowing that Christophe would be the number one choice ? he is a special jockey.

'It is sad Kieren is not here and as for future British rides we will have to use the best available.'

Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford felt Electrocutionist, who had been the subject of an early-morning fitness scare, had lost little in defeat.

'That was a really great effort. He was very game and gave everything he had,' he said.

'We are really proud of him. I wouldn't suggest for a minute the little hiccup he had this morning had any effect on his performance.

'We have no plans yet but we know he is effective over a mile and a quarter and a mile and a half.'

Lemaire put Heart's Cry's defeat down to tiredness close home and his trainer Kojiro Hashiguchi said: 'He will now run in the Japan Cup and the Arima Kinen.'

? PA Sport