as cumani had suggested, alkaased returned to france in september and started odds-on favourite of the prix foy at longchamp, a major trial race for the prix de l'arc de triomphe. ridden by kieren fallon, he was held up as usual before making his challenge in the straight. he moved into second place 300 metres from the finish but was unable to make further progress and was beaten two and a half lengths by the mare pride, with the german-bred shirocco in third. alkaased was brought back in distance for the champion stakes over ten furlongs at newmarket and finished fifth of fifteen runners behind david junior, pride, maraahel and oratorio. the unplaced horses included rakti, chic and alexander goldrun.