Almanzor beats Found to win Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown

Almanzor goes to the front in the feature race on day one of Irish Champions Weekend

French Derby winner Almanzor beat rivals Found and Minding to take the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.

The contest had been billed as the "race of the season" with nine Group One winners involved.

And it did not disappoint with 7-1 shot Almanzor, ridden by Christophe Soumillon for trainer Jean-Claude Rouget, winning a duel with Frankie Dettori on 2015 runner-up Found.

The English and Irish Derby winner Harzand finished down the field.

Soumillon said of Almanzor: "Only champions can win a race like this and I'm so pleased to ride him."

Rouget added: "We'll see if he goes to Ascot (Champion Stakes) or he goes to Chantilly for the Arc. We'll decide after a good night."

Analysis - BBC racing correspondent Cornelius Lysaght:

"So there is an outstanding three-year-old in Europe, but fine as dual Derby winner Harzand and the filly Minding - successful in two stagings of the Oaks - unquestionably are, it looks to be the French-trained Almanzor who's top of the tree.

"I thought this 'Race of the Season' lived up to expectations with six or seven of the gilt-edged field coming to the closing stages with a big chance before the principals forged clear. Found ends up as bridesmaid again while Minding has run with great credit. Harzand was beaten some way out."