Varandir triumphs in Qatar Prix Niel as Benvenuto Cellini flops
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Sun 6 Sep 2026
Francis Henri-Graffard and Mickael Barzalona recorded a quickfire double as Varandir came from off the pace to win the Group Two Qatar Prix Niel.
A recognised trial for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe back at the track next month, the mile and a half contest was turned into a good test of stamina due to the strong pace set by the free-going Ballydoyle outsider Montreal.
Hot favourite stablemate Benvenuto Cellini appeared to be in the ideal position to strike from the tip of the chasing pack, but the Irish Derby winner couldn't repeat his King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes effort and was eventually well-held.
Instead, it was Varandir and Alam – who had been held up off the pace – who came storming through with the best challenges, and it was the mount of Barzalona who proved strongest.
Nemone Routh, racing manager for the owners, said: "We knew the horse was well and had progressed and we thought he'd moved forward in the Grand Prix De Paris and had improved again since.
"We knew we had him well, but we thought he might need it - he was a bit heavy in the preliminaries. We knew he was improving
"He is in the Arc. We need to speak with Princess Zahra (Aga Khan) – my view would be 'why not?"
"He goes on any ground and sometimes it's good to have a few runners and spread your chances with the draw.
"He's got a great attitude, is going the right way, and is a very exciting horse."
Barzalona added: "He has improved, he's learning a lot and progressing.
"He's still immature and he was a bit lost in front having hit it easily.
"I expect him to improve mentally, he's well balanced and he's got the physique."
Coral cut Varandir for 20-1 from 40-1 for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
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