Dalghar storms to Palais-Royal victory at Longchamp. HH the Aga Khan’s Dalghar’s easy win in Longchamp’s Group 3 Prix du Palais-Royal over seven furlongs last Saturday leaves plenty of options for the son of Anabaa, and these are likely to commence with a tilt at the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot. Trainer Alain de Royer Dupré confirmed after the race, “Dalghar is a very versatile horse and should have no problem over a mile again. He is a horse who is on the upgrade and can keep progressing at a higher level.”

By France’s late leading sire Anabaa, Dalghar won one race as a juvenile and finished second in the Group 2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte. After being sidelined for the spring and summer of 2009, he picked up a pair of successes over a mile at the end of the year, including the Listed Prix Luthier on Deauville’s all-weather track. He is a beautifully bred half brother to champion racehorses and leading sires: Dalakhani (Darshaan) and Daylami (Doyoun).

Dual Group 3 scorer Behkabad (Cape Cross) ran a pleasing race to finish fourth in Sunday’s Group 1 Prix du Jockey-Club at Chantilly. Jean-Claude Rouget’s charge received a bump three furlongs from home but picked up well to finish strongly. The grandson of Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe runner-up Behera and the son of Group 2 winning stayer Behkara will now step up to the Classic trip of a mile and a half to take in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris on 14th July at Longchamp.

Updated on 09/06/2010.