ABSENT since his dominant win in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in July, the Francis Graffard-trained four-year-old Goliath brushed off an 85-day absence with a snug defeat of Hamish in the Group 2 Prix du Conseil de Paris over a mile and three furlongs at ParisLongchamp last Sunday.

His new US-based part-owner John Stewart, of Resolute Racing, flew in to watch Goliath’s final preparation for the Japan Cup. He had missed an intended prep in the Preis von Europa in September owing to a foot abscess.

The four-year-old overcame a muddling pace and heavy ground to win by half a length under Christophe Soumillon.

Trainer Francis Graffard said afterwards: “He had a lot of things against him; he was carrying a penalty and he needed the run, because he’s a huge horse.

“This ground is not what he prefers, the race was full of potential traps. But Christophe has begun to really get to know him and he has a lot of confidence in him.

“He took a gulp of air halfway up the straight and Christophe respected his horse before they went on again. I’m delighted to have won, but this was all about getting a run into him on the way.”

Stewart bought 75%of Goliath from his owner-breeder Philip Baron von Ullmann after his Ascot victory.

Along with stable companion Calandagan on an official mark of 125, they are the joint-second-best turf horses in the world, behind the 127-rated City Of Troy.

Soumillon’s experience in Japan will also be an advantage when it comes to challenging for the November 24th prize.

His breeder Baron Von Ullmann said: “The Japanese competition is very good, but I don’t think they’re as good as in the last couple of years. So I think if there is a year to attack from the European side, this year is a great chance.”

Tomorrow’s Tenno Sho (Autumn), will make his likely opposition clearer, with the field packed with Japan stars, Liberty Island, Do Deuce, Tastiera, Sol Oriens, Justin Palace and Bellagio Opera.

America

Snap gets Decision over Galvin in thrilling finish

American Grand National (Grade 1)

SNAP Decision became the fourth US jump horse to pass $1 million in career earnings, when he won the American Grand National in a close finish on Saturday, on his fourth attempt in the race.

Having been in the front rank all the way, US-bred son of Hard Spun produced a rally close to the line to just shade out Gordon Elliott’s challenger Galvin by a neck, on whom Jack Kennedy challenged on the inner and, for a brief moment, looked like getting the verdict. It was just a neck back to the third home, the former high-class flat performer High Definition, now trained by Leslie Young and ridden by Jamie Bargary.

Jack Fisher’s 10-year-old, who finished runner-up in the 2021 race, sixth a year later and was pulled up last year, finally came out on top under Graham Watters to join Lonesome Glory, McDynamo, Good Night Shirt as jumping millionaires. It was his 18th career success.

Galvin, making his first start since finishing fourth to I Am Maximus in the Grand National at Aintree in April, was sent off favourite over the two miles and five furlongs.

One race earlier, Elliott’s Set Point took fourth behind the Keri Brion-trained Irish-bred Going Country in the Foxbrook Champion Sport of Kings Novice Hurdle.

Irish-breds won five of the six races on the card with the finale, a two-mile flat contest, going to Graham Motion’s son of Caravaggio – The Grey Wizard in a race where the Elliott intended runner Familiar Dreams was an absentee.

Japan

Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) (Group 1)

THE second favourite Urban Chic claimed the last leg of this year’s Triple Crown, the Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) at Khyoo last weekend.

The Suave Richard colt had finished fourth in the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas), but disappointed to 11th in the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby).

Coming off a summer break, Urban Chic had bounced back and won the Kikuka Sho trial, the St Lite Kinen in September. Jockey Christophe Lemaire scored his 53rd JRA-Group 1 win following the Shuka Sho win by Cervinia a week earlier.

Improved position

Trained by Ryo Takei, Urban Chic settled in mid-field in the first half of the race, behind a slow pace set by Meisho Tabaru and steadily improved position, overtaking the race favourite before the backstretch.

Continuing to gradually get into gear as the field increased its pace approaching the final turn, the Suave Richard colt responded with a fine turn of speed to close in on Admire Terra and pulled away easily to claim the last leg of the three-year-old classic by a comfortable two and a half-length margin.

“I let him take his time to find a good rhythm. He was able to have a breather during the race and we were able to advance nicely to a good position near the end so, once he got into gear, I knew his ability and was confident that we could make it to the wire first.

“He has matured well and his potentials are high and well up to Group 1 standards in the future,” Lemaire said in an interview after the race.