Calandagan ready to take leading role of his own at Ascot

Calandagan is limbering up for the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot after aiding stablemate Daryz in preparing for his Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe victory.

The latter horse took the biggest race in Europe for trainer Francis-Henri Graffard and the Aga Khan Studs on Sunday, and soon it will be the turn of workmate Calandagan to take aim at a glittering autumn prize.

He is due to run at the Qipco British Champions Day meeting at Ascot later this month and is evidently in good form having finished stride for stride with the subsequent Arc hero in a final piece of work before ParisLongchamp.

“Calandagan worked with Daryz prior to him running in the Arc,” said Nemone Routh, French racing manager to the Aga Khan Studs.

“They worked very well together, so he’s clearly in top form. He has a couple more pieces of work to do and then he’ll be ready to run in the Champion Stakes.

“It’s all systems go for the race, he’s very professional now in the mornings and does everything very easily.

“He did prepare Daryz for the Arc and they finished their gallop together, so he’s obviously in good form!”

Calandagan was last seen taking the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on good going, but he was second in the Champion Stakes on soft turf last term and was untroubled by the surface as he was beaten only half a length.

“Whilst we think he’s better on good ground, he’s perfectly capable of handling soft ground as well,” Routh added.

“He is very well within himself and assuming all goes well between now and then, Ascot is where he’ll be heading.”