Arod steps up again with superb Sussex run

He was denied by the odds-on favourite Solow, but made that horse fight hard for victory as the pair drew clear of the other six runners. Arod, ridden by Andrea Atzeni in the colours of Qatar Racing, was beaten just half a length, and it was two and a quarter lengths back to third-placed Gabrial. Night Of Thunder, who won the Gr.1 Lockinge Stakes in May when Arod was third, finished sixth.

Trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam said of the runner-up: "He ran a great race and has done everything we asked of him. We would have preferred faster ground, for while the going is perfect today, on quicker ground he can quicken that little bit better.

"He's a lot more grown up this season and is very happy at home - I think he would be an even better five-year-old.

Arod (Andrea Atzeni) puts up another top performance

"He is entered in the Gr.1 Prix Jacques Le Marois, but that is only two weeks away so would be doubtful, and there is always the Gr.1 Prix du Moulin to consider. The Breeders' Cup will be over a very tight mile this year and he is a big-striding horse so it might not suit him. We are considering Australia's [Gr.1] Cox Plate, which is over ten furlongs, but I believe he will see out that trip."

Pictures from the Qatar Racing Festival: Dan Abraham