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Thrilling Arc in prospect as Treve tries for a repeat

01/10/2014

The G1 Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe has become indisputably Europe's greatest horserace and the anticipation in the days before this year's version is already close to fever pitch as Paris prepares for Sunday's spectacular, over 2400m at Longchamp.

st year Treve was an outstanding winner and, despite three unexpected racecourse disappointments in 2014, the reigning queen will have a legion of supporters no doubt encouraged by an unbeat message from her trainer Criquette Head-Maarek after some exciting work at Chantilly on Tuesday.

with winning the Arc but again and again have been frustrated - their raiders having finished second in three of the last four years.

e launching another impressive challenge with a serious trio for their devoted fans to shout home. Top of most lists is runaway G1 Dubai Duty Free winner Just A Way who currently enjoys the status as number one in the LONGINES World's Best Racehorse Rankings.

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accolade others believe that Japan's Harp Star may be even better - without the stamina concerns associated with Just A Way. Harp Star was subjected to what appeared to be a poor ride when defeated in the G1 Japanese Oaks two starts back but then dazzled a huge crowd when defeating Japan's third Arc invader Gold Ship in the G2 Sapporo Kinen.

illy named Taghrooda, trained in England by John Gosden who is enjoying an outstanding season and currently leads the trainers' race in the UK.

She won the G1 Oaks at Epsom but what highlighted Taghrooda as a major Arc player was her devastating victory in the King George V1 and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, often described as a super G1, at Ascot in July. A shock defeat followed at York in August but it was subsequently discovered that she was 'in season' and, if her hormones don't interfere with her performance again, this wonderful filly surely has a terrific chance.

ned close to where Frankie Dettori lives, and the three-times Arc winning jockey - who will be having a remarkable 26th ride in the race - looks to have bagged the mount on 2013 Epsom Derby (G1) winner Ruler Of The World.

bounced back to form under an astute front-running ride from Dettori in the G2 Prix Foy at Longchamp on 'Arc trials' day last month.

ner that afternoon, however, was Ectot who is the son of Arc winner Hurricane Run. Ectot had not raced since April and he was also moving up a huge 800m in trip but what was really memorable was the way he swept from last to first - without apparent effort  - in the G2 Prix Niel before idling at the end.

, and that is some compliment as this increasingly respected jockey could also have picked Avenir Certain, who is unbeaten in all her six starts that include stylish victories in both the French fillies' Classic races of 2014. Needless to say Christophe Lemaire is very happy to 'sub' on yet another brilliant contender for this year's Arc.

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