Falbrav in good heart after QEII romp

Falbrav is in good order this morning following his brilliant performance in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.

Luca Cumani's five-year-old recorded his fourth Group One success of the season - and his first at a mile - when beating Russian Rhythm by two lengths under Darryll Holland.

"He is very well. He has come out of the race fine, he has eaten up everything and hasn't turned a hair," said the Newmarket trainer today.

A trip to the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita later this month is one of the options for connections, as is the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes at Newmarket.

"Nothing is really set in stone yet," Cumani added.

"We want to see how the next few days pan out and see how he takes re-entering training and how he takes the autumn because the temperature is changing now.

"He has had eight races at Group One level this season and we just want to do what is right for the horse."

Cumani has trained some top-class horses over the years, including two Derby winners, but he makes no secret of the regard for which he holds the son of Fairy King.

"He is probably the best horse in the world right now and probably one of the best that has been around in my generation," he said.

He also had a special word of praise for Holland, who has partnered Falbrav to three of his four big-race wins this term, but came in for some criticism after the pair were controversially beaten by High Chaparral in the Irish Champion Stakes.

Aidan O'Brien's colt kept the race after a stewards' inquiry but an appeal has since been launched by the Falbrav team.

"Darryll rides him supremely well. It was just unfortunate in Ireland, but even then he would have won if he hadn't been impeded," the trainer said.