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Goliath surges to stunning King George success

Cristophe Soumillon riding Goliath to win The King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes
Cristophe Soumillon riding Goliath to win The King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes

Goliath produced a spectacular performance at Ascot to give France a first King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes winner since 2006.

Hurricane Run was the last Gallic raider to land this midsummer showpiece, but Francis-Henri Graffard's four-year-old ended that drought in emphatic fashion.

Turning for home, the stage looked set for a battle between market principals Auguste Rodin and Rebel's Romance, but it was soon apparent that Christophe Soumillon was cruising in behind on Goliath.

Runner-up in the Hardwicke Stakes at the Royal meeting, the 25-1 outsider responded immediately - and impressively - when asked to kick on, powering clear to win by two and a quarter lengths, with Bluestocking staying on for second.

Rebel's Romance was well beaten in third, while it was not to be in this race again for fifth-placed Auguste Rodin.

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