Graffard insists Ascot did not get to see the real Daryz

Francis-Henri Graffard felt Royal Ascot racegoers did not get to see the “Daryz of Longchamp” in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Last season’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe hero had looked better than ever in winning the Prix Ganay and the Prix Aga Khan VI on his first two starts of this season, meaning that while he had disappointed on his only previous appearance in Britain, hopes in the camp were high ahead of his second trip across the Channel.

But while Daryz performed much better than when last of six behind the reopposing Ombudsman in the Juddmonte International at York, this time placing third behind John and Thady Gosden’s 10-furlong superstar, Graffard is adamant his charge was not seen to best effect.

“I don’t know what to say, he just didn’t have a very good run,” he said.

“The two pacemakers went forward and my horse was not covered, he never really relaxed or got the chance to take a breath. I don’t think he travelled or relaxed through the race, he was out of his rhythm all the time and that’s why he shortened up his action at the end.

“Ombudsman had a perfect run and didn’t have to make any effort up to entering the straight, while we had to make effort all the time. That’s the way the race went.

“We didn’t see the Daryz of Longchamp when he was nice and relaxed and quickened really strongly. Today he was not like that.”

Splitting Ombudsman and Daryz in second place was Aidan O’Brien’s multiple Group One-winning filly Minnie Hauk.

Just a head behind Daryz in the Arc in October, she disappointed in the Tattersalls Gold Cup last time out but bounced back to something like her best to fill the runner-up spot over a trip her trainer feels is short of her best.

O’Brien said: “We’re delighted. She is a mile and a half filly and over a mile and a quarter she wanted an end to end gallop. Obviously that was going to suit the winner as well, but she’s a mile and a half filly and it was lovely.

“She beat the horse she ran against in the Arc last year and she’s so straightforward. Ryan (Moore) rode her very confidently, like there was no doubt about anything today, and he said she kept travelling and the winner just quickened a bit better than her over a mile and a quarter.

“If the lads want they can bring her back here for the King George. The lads will decide what they want to do, but this was the perfect prep for the King George and she could then have one more run and then the Arc. That would work very well.”

Ed Walker’s Almaqam beat Minnie Hauk in the Tattersalls Gold Cup, but had to make do with fourth place on this occasion.

Jockey Kieran Shoemark said: “I think the ground is tight enough for him, but he didn’t not win because of the ground. It’s probably not his optimum conditions but it was an extremely hot race and fair play to Ombudsman, he’s a rocket.

“I possibly got a bit of a better feel from my horse at the Curragh – I don’t think we saw him at his best today.”