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Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe �V Form Comments

30/09/2016

G1 – 2400m – Turf

Found

Last year's Arc performance can be forgotten as she was trapped along the inside in the home straight. This busy, tough and talented mare has raced nine times since then including a terrific victory in the G1 Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland last October. Second on her last five starts, she has not had a traditional Arc preparation but she does thrive on racing and seems at her best at this time of year.

Harzand

His victory in the English Derby at Epsom and the Irish Derby at The Curragh arguably makes him the best of his generation over 2400m, especially as he was beset by some injury issues at the time. A nasty cut incurred during his latest start suggests that run can easily be forgotten and the vibes have been good since. Some rain would be very helpful.

Highland Reel

Perhaps the highlight of a terrific career - that includes three G1 victories - came when he fought off the previous year's winner to land the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m) last December. Allowed to do his own thing up front he also won Ascot's great July G1 this year over this distance - the betting pointing strongly in his direction that day. He didn't fire at Leopardstown in September but this longer trip and expected faster ground will certainly be in his favour.

Left Hand

Has an increasingly good G1 profile, notably when proving that she had the stamina for this distance with quite a convincing victory in the G1 Prix Vermeille at Chantilly in September, cheekpieces also seeming to assist her again there. The expected good ground should be ideal.

Makahiki

Represents the latest attempt by Japan to win the Arc and this talented son of Deep Impact was given plenty of time off after winning the Japanese Derby at Tokyo in May. A supple, long-striding colt he made up three lengths in a short amount of time to narrowly win his G2 trial for the Arc at Chantilly a few weeks ago, and a convincing piece of work on Tuesday has added to confidence. Expected good or fast ground is much in his favour.

Migwar

Does not have a traditional Arc winners' profile, yet to win a group race though he has been placed in a couple of G2's including one over this course and distance in 2015. He justified odds on favouritism when comfortably winning a minor event at Saint-Cloud last time.

New Bay

Proven at Chantilly winning a G1 here last year and his fourth in a G1 at Leopardstown last time was better than it looked as he chased a rapid pace that set the race up for the closers. Third in last year's Arc -at Longchamp - he has had a light campaign in 2016 and his trainer's great Arc record - winning it seven times - should not be forgotten.

One Foot in Heaven

He has twice competed over this course and distance, good first time with a G2 victory on soft ground in June. However in his G2 Arc trial this month he was never going fast enough when last of four, 8 3/4L behind Arc rival Silverwave. The pace will be much quicker this time, maybe that will help.

Order Of St George

Stamina is his forte and his last eight starts - including six wins - have been over further than this including a terrific victory in June's G1 Ascot Gold Cup - a 4000m marathon. What this hugely talented stayer wants is a frenetic pace so that his rivals will fall away during Chantilly's stiff uphill finishing straight.

Postponed

Looks the worthy favourite having been unstoppable for more than a year now, winning his last six starts - four at G1 level. He produced a dynamic performance to land a G1 over 2409m at Epsom in June before seeing off some strong rivals over 2080m at York in August, admirably coping with the drop in distance. Versatile groundwise and flexible as to his positioning during a race.

Savoir Vivre

He comes here fresh off a G2 victory over 2500m at Deauville in August, leading from gate to wire and, despite racing too freely, he held on bravely. He had previously run a close second in the G1 German Derby at Hamburg. This is a very much stronger G1 however.

Siljan’s Saga

Only beaten 4 1/2L eighth at huge odds in last year's Arc. She has mostly run to a consistently good level since but she just seems to lack the finishing kick required to win an Arc.

Silverwave

Well beaten in last year's Arc, but he has been a progressive horse this year, showing top class credentials to win a G1 at Saint-Cloud in July, and didn't have to be fully exerted to win his G2 Arc trial at Chantilly recently, though that particular race has rarely been influential in recent years as far as the big race itself is concerned.

Talismanic

Has won three of his eight starts, most recently with a convincing Listed race success over much weaker opposition than these at this distance at Saint-Cloud. When earlier tackling G1 company in June's French Derby over 2100m here at Chantilly he ran a respectable fourth despite having to race wide with no cover.

The Grey Gatsby

On his only previous visit to Chantilly he gained a shock win in the G1 French Derby (2100m) back in 2014. He also ran some cracking races at the top level in 2015 but most of his starts recently have not suggested that he is capable of winning Europe's biggest prize.

Vedevani

His only victory came on his first start and he has been a beaten favourite in three much weaker races than this. He showed a little improvement when stepping up to this distance last time but his winning prospects appear remote, at best.

 

 

 

 

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