French ace Brametot primed for big run in Champion Stakes

Connections of French raider Brametot believe the Al Shaqab colt has come out of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe well and expect a big run in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.

Halfway through the season Jean-Claude Rouget's colt could have laid claim to being the best three-year-old in training, having won the French Guineas and Derby.

However, Enable's exploits and two subsequent defeats at Deauville and Chantilly have quashed those ambitions, but he took a step back in the right direction in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Racing over a mile and a half for the first time, he finished fifth behind Enable - and may have been closer but for meeting trouble in running in the final couple of furlongs.

Rouget won the Champion Stakes 12 months ago with the brilliant Almanzor and was also successful in 2007 with Literato.

Rupert Pritchard-Gordon, racing manager for owners Al Shaqab Racing in France, said: "Brametot did his last piece of work on Monday morning in Deauville and all the signs are good.

"He looks like he's taken the Arc very well and I think a truly-run mile and a quarter will really suit him.

"He comes into the race relatively fresh having only run twice since June and everything points to a good performance."

Brametot, who is a best-priced 10-1 for the ten-furlong event, is one of a handful of French challengers travelling over for the finale of the British Champions Series, with Al Wukair heading for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, Left Hand and Bateel the Fillies & Mares and Recoletos joining Brametot in the Champion Stakes.