Valirann steps up under Soumi 2013-10-05

Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe weekend at Longchamp started off in the best possible fashion for the Aga Khan as the owner celebrated a winner in the Qatar Prix Chaudenay.

It was Valirann, a course-and-distance winner in Group Three company last month, who stepped up one grade with Christophe Soumillon producing him with a strong late run and holding off stern challenges from Montclair and Lucky Loo in a head-bob.

British raider Nearly Caught attemped to make all of the mile and seven furlongs but weakened in the closing stages and was sixth.