Literato Stakes Champion Claims

Jean-Claude Rouget pinpointed the Emirates Airlines Champion Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday as the ideal race for Literato.

The French Derby runner-up, who has won eight of his 10 races to date, bids to become the second successive overseas winner of the race following the success of Pride 12 months ago.

Rouget believes the 10-furlong trip of the Champion Stakes is the perfect distance with which to pitch him against his elders for the first time.

'We have had this race as a target for some time as I wasn't sure about him staying a mile and a half,' said Rouget.

'I wanted to try to give him a chance in a Group One and this race is the right one.

'Every time he runs he comes from behind as he has fantastic acceleration, he has a very good turn of foot.

'He has never run against older horses before and we have nothing to lose but it will not be very easy for him.

'He gives his best every time and we think a lot of him, he's a very courageous horse.

'We are at the end of the season and some horses can be a bit tired so I wouldn't know who was going to be the biggest threat and I never worry about the others anyway as my horse looks very well,' he told At The Races.

(C) PA Sport