Bliss for Doumen on Arc day

Kasbah Bliss: Won the opener on Arc day

Kasbah Bliss rolled back the years to come from last to first in the Qatar Prix du Cadran at Longchamp.

Francois Doumen's nine year old was held-up in towards the rear in the two and a half mile Group One contest with the field being taken along at a typically slow pace by German challenger Tres Rock Danon.

Elyaadi, ridden by Kieren Fallon, raced too keenly in behind and Fallon eventually let his mount stride on and the pair led the field into the straight.

The challengers loomed up as the sprint began though with last year's winner Gentoo one of the first to challenge and market leader Ley Hunter running on strongly on the outside.

However, Gerald Mosse got a great tune out of his veteran charge to weave his way through the field and score a shade cosily from Tres Rock Danon, Brigantin and Ley Hunter in a bunch finish.

Winning Reaction

Mosse said: "I had plenty of horse under me and had a lovely run from behind. "When I came through he showed a lot of power.

"I've ridden him before and know he has a nice turn of foot.

"He won very well."

Doumen added: "Running over hurdles taught him to breath properly, and that made him stronger and able to run in Group One races likes this.

"He has kept the knack of wanting to win and come through the others. When he can get through, that is when he is at his best.

"He won easily. Mosse said to me after the race he didn't think he'd win that easily. He said when he brought him through he just went.

"It reminds me of The Fellow in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham. He had to run in the race a few times before he won it. It's the same sort of feeling.

"I hope to get invited back to Hong Kong as he ran a brilliant race in the Vase there two years ago over a mile and a half. He's still got that turn of foot.

"He won't be going jumping again."