Racing:Harbinger put up a devastating performance to run right away with the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot. Olivier Peslier looked to be going best as he sat in fourth place as they turned into the straight in the Group One contest and the response was electrifying when he asked for an effort.
The Michael Stoute-trained colt (4-1) brushed Derby winners Cape Blanco and Workforce aside as he powered an amazing 11 lengths clear with Cape Blanco finishing second and Youmzain third.
Epsom hero Workforce, stablemate of the winner, had tracked his pacemaker Confront through the early stages, with Curragh victor Cape Blanco for close company.
Ryan Moore and Colm O'Donoghue were niggling coming round the home turn, however, while all the time Peslier was sat totally motionless.
As soon as the Frenchman pressed the button, the response was immediate and he went further and further clear.
Cape Blanco kept going for a distant second, but Workforce was left toiling and out of the places as Harbinger blitzed the field in course-record time.
William Hill slashed the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing-owned Harbinger to even-money favourite from 8-1 for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in October.
Peslier said: "You can imagine how I felt in the last furlong when I saw the big screen and I could see the others so far behind.
"The horse today is the king, he is a wonderful horse.
"I knew he was very good, but today he was flying and won so well - he's very good.
"He travelled the way I wanted and he kept going, I didn't have to ask him anything.
"He was just flying. He is a champion."
Stoute added: "Olivier was just cantering, he travelled so well and he was looking good from a long way out.
"He was a decent three-year-old and was impressive in winning the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood. Then he had a blip in the Voltigeur, but he bounced back well in the John Porter this season and has gone on from there.
"We'll consider the Arc."
The trainer said of 8-11 favourite Workforce: "Ryan said he just didn't switch off like he normally does and the ground was quick enough, it's pretty fast out there."
Aidan O'Brien said of Cape Blanco: "We're delighted with him, he ran a great race. Everyone wanted to see the two Derby winners running, they went together and there were two very good horses in third and fourth (Daryakana).
"They went a solid gallop and it was a great performance by the winner.
"We wouldn't mind stepping back a bit (in distance) with him now. He could go to York, but we'll have to see."
Mick Channon said of Youmzain: "It was another great race, especially on that ground. The winner was very impressive - no crystal ball would have seen that happening.
"We'll probably go straight for the Arc now."
Alain de Royer-Dupre said of the filly Daryakana: "She was very close to Youmzain on form in France so it was a satisfactory performance. I don't know where we will run now."