Racing: The shouts were more of Gallic glee than the "praise Jesus" variety but all the same there was more than a hint of redemption about Dalakhani's remarkable Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe success at Longchamp yesterday.

Saddled with the worst draw, ground that was more gruel than champagne, and a jockey whose big race nerve was under question after a less than inspired effort in the Irish Derby, Dalakhani shrugged off all the negatives to beat Mubtaker in a thriller by three parts of a length.

Five lengths further back was the main Irish hope, High Chaparral, who repeated his 2002 placing and gave the undeniable impression that he is less than in love with Longchamp.

"He was a bit disappointing but he struggled again in a key part of the race. Maybe it was his shoulder problems but going down hill he didn't appear to like going right-handed. He also laboured a bit on the heavy ground," reported Mick Kinane.

High Chaparral went off a heavily favoured 13 to 8 favourite with the industry bookmakers but despite being in position A throughout, it was impossible not to notice the ease with which Dalakhani travelled in behind.

Only once has the Aga Khan-owned colt been beaten, when 22-year-old Christophe Soumillon appeared to indulge his youthful bravado to the hilt at the Curragh last June.

That day the Aga Khan's other three-year-old star, Alamshar, pounced on Dalakhani after Soumillon bizarrely decided to lead the chase on the pacemakers. This time, on his home turf, the Belgian-born jockey made no mistake.

Soumillon was patience itself, letting the colt find his feet on the holding ground and remaining ice cool even when Dalakhani dropped back to last.

Up ahead, his pacemaker Diyapour cut out the running with Black Sam Bellamy and High Chaparral stalking the pace.

For the Irish in search of just a fifth individual Arc winner, it all looked pretty good, especially with Vinnie Roe travelling ominously well also.

It was the Weld runner who, in the straight, momentarily looked a danger but a glance to the outside proved that was illusory.

As well as Soumillon's tactical nous, Dalakhani's bottle had been questioned by some at the Curragh who dismissed him as flash. As the hardy six-year-old Mubtaker kicked for home, the little grey colt had every excuse to fold if he wanted. But did he want to chuck it? Did he hell.

Class and courage is a rare combination and as Soumillon's whip rose and fell, Dalakhani proved once and for all that he is an exceptional racehorse.

"He has got to be outstanding," acknowledged the Aga Khan, whose list of champions includes previous Arc winners like Sinndar (2000) and Akarad (1981.)

"As a two-year-old and a three-year-old he has shown a concentration of unusual talent. I don't like making comparisons with other horses but he is clearly exceptional," the Aga added before focusing on the abilities of his young rider.

"He is an excellent horseman, an excellent jockey, a good judge and he showed a lot of calm today," he said.

There wasn't much of that calm on show as Soumillon milked the crowd in the winner's enclosure.

A green and red banner was draped prominently near that number one spot proclaiming: "Dazzling Dalakhani." Whether we will ever see him dazzle again is debatable as the Aga appeared to hint that he will continue his policy of retiring his star three-year-old colts to stud.

That would be a pity for race fans but yesterday was enough to prove him an outstanding Arc champion - more than enough.

Report: Page 10