Even over jumps, Best Mate's appearances are as notable for their rarity value as brilliance.Early retirement though is largely the preserve of the leading Flat runners and in that, for once, Dalakhani is no different from other horses. All the post-race messages emanating from the Aga Khan in the Bois de Boulogne suggested we had just witnessed not just the pinnacle of Dalakhani's career but also the end of it.There is a breathing argument for allowing the grey another competitive season as the Aga is already spreading some of the family blood around via Dalakhani's half-brother, Daylami. He stands at the Gilltown Stud in Ireland.Yet continuation for Dalakhani became less likely yesterday when the other great horse in the Aga's Classic batch, Alamshar, was sold to go to stud in Japan. It was a spontaneous reaction which captured all and ensured that Soumillon will now be one of the best-watched jockeys. We cannot, sadly, say the same about his weekend confr?.There is an unhappy calculation in racing that the more talented a horse the less he is likely to parade his skills in front of an audience. There were many points in the race, even early on, that the partnership could be identified as the winning one.The release at the end, though, was considerable Soumillon was blubbing sufficiently to change the going. The most you could say for Soumillon, and Dalakhani for that matter, was that they made it all look so easy.

There were smiles, asides and no sense that the greatest sporting challenge of his young life was just moments away.It was a quite different figure we welcomed back. He is youthful, talented and charismatic, in short the perfect package. And the 22-year-old is not averse to displaying not only his exquisite equine skills but also a considerable emotional range.When the doe-eyed Soumillon, the first man out, walked into the paddock on Sunday he appeared, at least, to be relaxed. "At one stage, he was three from last in this race." Latecomers to the press huddle were not quite sure to whom the Aga was referring, the lightning horse, Dalakhani, or his calculating young jockey, Christophe Soumillon.

It was applicable to both.Soumillon may be Belgian but Paris claimed him on Sunday afternoon. "He's sufficiently reserved and calm not to get upset by things," the Aga Khan told us under the spreading platanes in the aftermath of the 82nd Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on Sunday. Kirk DeWaele hit the winner 87 seconds into the added session after goals from Steelers' Joel Irving and Mark Dutiaume were cancelled out by George Awada and Petteri Lotila.Cardiff Devils and Basingstoke Bison drew 1-1, while Nottingham Panthers fended off a late rally from the still winless London Racers to win 3-2 at Alexandra Palace.. A Hilton Ruggles hat-trick and two goals from Steve Chartrand put Blaze in control against the Giants, for whom Paul Sample (2) and Brad Kenny scored.Sheffield Steelers remain unbeaten after a home 3-2 overtime win over Manchester Phoenix.