Alain de Royer-Dupre's filly had to overcome being drawn in stall one and a tricky passage through the field, but she sprinted clear inside the final furlong to maintain her unbeaten record in brilliant style.

Christophe Soumillon was the perfect man to have on board and oozed confidence as she became the first filly to win the big race since Urban Sea in 1993.

Mick Channon's Youmzain ran another game race to finish runner-up for the second year in a row.

There were worries about Zarkava leaving the stalls after she was left at the start in her prep race, and it was not straightforward again.

She lurched to her right and Soumillon worked wonders to stay in the saddle. She was soon on terms but had just four behind her as the field turned into the straight.

It appeared she faced a difficult task to fight her way through runners but the gaps appeared at just the right moment for the ice-cool Soumillon.

It's Gino and Soldier Of Fortune were having a mighty scrap at the head of affairs, but Zarkava loomed large a furlong out and stretched clear.

Soldier Of Fortune dead-heated for third with It's Gino, while Duke Of Marmalade never looked like winning his sixth Group One race of the season.

The Sir Michael Stoute duo of Ask and Papal Bull never landed a blow, although French Derby winner Vision D'Etat was slightly unlucky as he was hampered close to home.

Zarkava was immediately handed a 2-1 quote by VC Bet to follow up in next year's Arc.

Royer-Dupre said: "She's beautiful, it's marvellous because she had a very easy race. It's perfect.

"When I saw the filly in the paddock and in the parade I was sure she was OK today. I know she has great acceleration.

"It's great to train a filly like that. She's the best I've had.''

Rider Richard Hills said of Youmzain: "I tried to go up the fence but it didn't quite happen as the gap closed.

"He's run a great race anyway and he's probably even better than last year.''

Bruce Raymond, racing manager to Youmzain's owner Jaber Abdullah, said: "It didn't cost him the race. The winner is an exceptional filly. He won't run again this year.''

Pavel Vovcenko, trainer of It's Gino, said: "He's probably better held up and maybe hit the front a bit soon, but he's still run a great race and we plan to go for the Japan Cup next.''

While Aidan O'Brien said of Soldier Of Fortune and Duke Of Marmalade: "I'm not using the ground as an excuse, they've both run good races. They both have plenty of options and we'll see what happens.''

Eric Libaud, trainer of Vision D'Etat, said: "He didn't get a clear run and I think if he'd been nearer the pace he could have got closer at the finish.''

Simon Crisford said of Godolphin's Schiaparelli: "He tried his best but he wasn't good enough on the day and he needs the ground softer.''

Pat Fahey, owner of Ask, said: "He's run a great race but the wind has just made the ground a bit quick for him. I think he's entered in Italy now so we'll talk to Sir Michael.''

Stan Moore can hardly wait for next year with Total Gallery after his colt battled to a brave success in the £200,000 totescoop6 Two-Year-Old Trophy at Redcar on Saturday.

The 11-2 chance had to hold off all-comers in a desperate battle inside the final furlong and the judge required a photo-finish to split four runners.

Favourite Girl, Wave Aside and Khor Dubai were all involved but it was Total Gallery and Liam Keniry who got the nod by the minimum margin from Favourite Girl.

This was the 20th running of the six-furlong dash and Moore said: "We won this last year with Dubai Dynamo and before I started training I had a share in Osario who won one of the early runnings of the race – I think it was the first two-year-old race worth £100,000.

"We have had a tough time both personally and in racing this year, both my wife Sara's parents died in March and we have moved stables three times. We bought Berkeley House stable off Noel Chance in May and it is great to come and win a big race.

"I must thank all the staff and Sara for helping us get through it all.

"Total Gallery is a proper, proper horse, and when he was beaten at Ayr last time Robert Winston said he would have won if he had been able to get out earlier – he said he was a Group horse.

"He won't run again this year but next season he is going to be awesome over five furlongs, that is his trip and it was just his class that got him through over six.''

Keniry was having his first ride in the race but there was a sting in the tail as he picked up a total of four days suspension (coming into effect on October 19-22) – three for careless riding two out and one for a similar offence inside the final furlong.


TODAY'S BEST

DUKE'S DOUBLE

Darcey (2.50 Warwick), nap Bea Menace (3.20 Warwick).

DUKE'S TREBLE

Darcey, Bea Menace and Voice Coach (4.20 Warwick).

JULIUS'S DOUBLE

Diamond Yas (4.10 Pontefract), nap and Bouvardia (2.50 Warwick).

FORMNAP

Bogside Theatre (3.40 Pontefract).