PARIS, Sept 14: Dalakhani, partnered by Christophe Soumillon for the Aga Khan, cemented his position as the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe favourite with a convincing display in the Group Two Prix Niel at Longchamp on Sunday.

Regaining the winning thread after his Irish Derby defeat in June, the French Derby hero readily held the thrust of Doyen, the mount of Frankie Dettori, to score by a length and a half.

Doyen, trained by Andre Fabre, ran a good trial and Dettori said he would like to ride the colt in the big race in three weeks’ time.

Kris Kin, the Epsom Derby winner, finished third, four lengths behind the winner.

Dalakhani is now 7-4 for the Arc with Doyen at 9-2 and Kris Kin at 12-1.

Results : Prix Niel, a group two race for three-year-olds, run over one and a half miles (2.4 km): 1. Dalakhani (ridden by Christophe Soumillon) 2. Doyen (Frankie Dettori) 3. Kris Kin (Kieren Fallon) 4. Rhythm Mad (Olivier Peslier)

Seven ran. Distances: length and a half, two and a half lengths, neck.

Winner owned by the Aga Khan, trained by Alain de Royer-Dupre in France.

Value to the winner: $63,100

Pari-mutuel: (includes a one euro stake): Win 1.70 ; (coupled with Diyapour) ; places 1.10, 1.20. Straight forecast 2.50.—Reuters