Goliath surges to stunning King George success

Goliath produced a spectacular performance at Ascot to give France a first King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes winner since 2006.

Hurricane Run was the last Gallic raider to land this midsummer showpiece, but Francis-Henri Graffard's four-year-old ended that drought in emphatic fashion.

Turning for home, the stage looked set for a battle between market principals Auguste Rodin and Rebel's Romance, but it was soon apparent that Christophe Soumillon was cruising in behind on Goliath.

Runner-up in the Hardwicke Stakes at the Royal meeting, the 25-1 outsider responded immediately - and impressively - when asked to kick on, powering clear to win by two and a quarter lengths, with Bluestocking staying on for second.

Rebel's Romance was well beaten in third, while it was not to be in this race again for fifth-placed Auguste Rodin.