Eighteen-horse field for Sundays Arc at Longchamp - By Tom Krish
Posted on - 02 Oct 2015
Eighteen-horse field for Sunday's Arc at Longchamp
By Tom Krish
It was a cool morning in the environs of Charles De Gaulle airport in Paris on Thursday. It was 7 30 A M when the sun came out. As the day wore on, Paris was bathed in sunshine. It was a warm but comfortable day.
At Longchamp racecourse, Thursday marked the third forfeit stage for Sunday's Qatar Prix de L'Arc De Triomphe. Fifteen horses stood their ground and three were supplemented at a cost of 120,000 Euros each.
Golden Horn, winner of the Epsom Derby, was the most conspicuous nomination. Spiritjim and Shahah were the other two. The latter is expected to play the role of pacemaker.
Jack Hobbs, the Irish Derby champion, was taken out. He is being pointed to the Qipco Champions' Stakes at Ascot on October 17.
Eagle Top, from Gosden's yard, will be in the lineup.
Free Eagle, victorious in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, will take his chances. Free Eagle was repeatedly interfered with by Golden Horse in the Irish Champions' stakes at Leopardstown in early September. Dermot Weld, who trains Free Eagle, has expressed the belief that the good ground on Sunday will help his trainee.
John Gosden, Golden Horn's trainer, made a statement, " Paris is having dry weather. On Arc Day, the expectation is that the going will be good. That is good for Golden Horn."
This was the comment from Gosden about the opposition that Golden Horn faces, "Treve is an exceptional race mare who seems to be reaching her zenith at five years of age. She was imperious in the Vermeille. We have enormous respect for her and many others in the race including New Bay who was most impressive in the Niel."
Vermeille and Niel are two preliminary (prep) races for the Arc. Postponed, winner of the King George at Ascot in late July, took the Prix Foy, the third prep. Coolmore will be represented by Found and Tapestry. The two fillies were taken out of Qatar Prix De L'Opera, a Grade I affair to be run on Sunday.
The forecast in Paris calls for primarily dry weather. Occasional showers are expected. The going on Saturday and Sunday will most likely be 'good.' That is 'fast' in American racing parlance.
On Saturday, there are three races of considerable importance. All times I mention are local Paris times. Paris is three and a half hours behind India. I want to remind you that all the races over the Arc weekend are on the grass. It is the greatest two-day turf racing spectacle.
At 2 30 P M, the Grade II Prix Chaudenay will be run. It is a 3000-metre contest. I like the chances of Vazirabad. Owned by the Aga Khan and trainer A De Royer Dupre, Vazirabad is a son of Manduro. Christophe Soumillon will have the riding call.
The Grade II Prix de Royallieu (Fillies and Mares) will be at 3 40 P M. I like another Aga Khan-owned horse, Candarliya. This race is over 2400 metres.
The Grade II Prix Dollar is at 4 15 P M. It is a 1800-metre and 165 yard race. I have mixed the Metric and the English systems. I do not know how to convert 165 yards into the metric equivalent. French Navy and Zipzip are the leading players.
The Prix Daniel Wildenstein (Grade II) over 1600 metres is at 5 15 p m. Impassable, with Olivier Peslier, has the most appeal.
There is a ceremony to draw post positions on Friday at 10 30 AM at Longchamp racecourse. I have been invited and will be there.
Vivek Jain is coming. From Chennai, Dr Karthikeyan and R Ramakrishnan are coming. I am hopeful I'll see many more from India.
Treve is even money in the British market. Golden Horn and New Bay are in the fives and marginally higher. In France, all the wagering is done on the tote.
After this year's Arc, Longchamp will undergo major renovation. It has been a busy Thursday for me. It will get busier on Friday. It will be hectic on Saturday and Sunday.
You hear French and see a way of life that is unique in Paris. Two hundred thirty miles away is London. It is another world in the British capital. It is English but you cannot fail to hear several Indian languages.
I was supposed to be at Marlborough, Wiltshire in the United Kingdom. It is an hour by train from London Paddington. Martin Dwyer lives in Marlborough. On Sunday, Martin had a ride in Prague (Czech) and had a fall. He has a collarbone problem. Martin sent an email saying that I could come to Marlborough and he would do whatever he can and show me around. I'm reluctant to bother him. I may choose to be in London. My wife is accompanying me and that'll give us a chance to renew acquaintances and make new friends.
In my next piece, we will take a close look at the Arc field and have a word or two on the other Grade I races on Sunday. I can hardly wait.
It is 6 25 P M in Paris on Thursday as I finish typing this report.
Sources: Racing Post and Paris Turf.
(Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are the author's personal views.)
