Sunday’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1) at Longchamp has drawn the winners of
23 Group 1 races, including the English, Irish and German Derbies, St Leger, Irish Oaks, Coronation Cup, Grosser Preis von
Baden and last year’s Arc, and a stellar field of 15 is set go to the post for
the about 1 1/2-mile affair.
Despite its depth every year, the Arc has tended to conform to the same
formula in recent years. Since 1991, three-year-old colts have dominated, playing second fiddle to
their elders only four times, and Michael Tabor’s sophomore, HURRICANE RUN (Montjeu
[Ire]), will likely go favored. Suave Dancer, Peintre Celebre, Montjeu (Ire),
Sinndar and Dalakhani all fit the pattern as Derby winners who had returned from
a summer break ready to explode in the fall. Hurricane Run has history on his
side, having won the Irish Derby (Ire-G1) at The Curragh before a smooth prep in
the course-and-distance Prix Niel (Fr-G2), a race used by eight of the last 11
winners. He is also in the hands of five-time Arc winning conditioner Andre Fabre and has the assistance of Kieren Fallon in the saddle.
“I’ve got a very good horse and am drawn well in six, which is very
important,” Fallon said. “I think it’s a competitive race this year and there
are lots of horses with chances, but I’ve got the best one.”
The Royal Ascot Racing Club’s MOTIVATOR (Montjeu [Ire]) is another with the right credentials
to win this race. Winner of the Epsom Derby (Eng-G1), the colt enjoyed a
rest after running second in the Eclipse S. (Eng-G1) at Sandown. He was second
again in the Irish Champion S. (Ire-G1) and bids to emulate Lammtarra and
Sinndar in completing the Epsom Derby-Arc double in recent times.
“He looks fantastic,” trainer Michael Bell said. “He’s working very well and
has got his ground and probably his optimum trip, so everything points to a very
good run. If he gets beaten he’ll go down all guns blazing.”
Completing the trio of contenders by the brilliant 1999 winner Montjeu is Susan Magnier’s
St Leger winner SCORPION, who has already proven himself over
this course and distance when winning the Grand Prix de Paris (Fr-G1). He was
only a half-length second to Hurricane Run at the Curragh previously and bids to
end Aidan O’Brien’s drought and provide Mick Kinane with his third renewal.
“On his performance there in July — on similar ground — he would make them
go,” Kinane said. “He put it up to Hurricane Run at the Curragh and there’s
no reason to say he couldn’t do it again.”
Saeed Manana’s six-year-old WARRSAN (Caerleon) is another contender, having won Epsom’s
Coronation Cup (Eng-G1) in 2003 and 2004 and the last two renewals of the Grosser Preis
von Baden (Ger-G1). He bids to emulate the 2002 hero Marienbard in following up here
after winning Germany’s premier event last time out.
“Last year he got pushed up against the fence and taken out of the race and
had to come wide, yet still finished ninth,” trainer Clive Brittain explained.
“This is a warrior and he’s gone and done it, whereas a lot of these have still
to go and do it.”
BAGO (Nashwan) will seek back-to-back renewals of the Arc, but he hasn’t
shown the same outstanding form leading up to the French classic. CHERRY MIX (Linamix),
who finished second by a half-length 12 months ago, represents Godolphin,
which has been successful three times since 1995, and despite recent rains, his
connections would welcome an even wetter lead-up.
“Cherry Mix had his final piece of work earlier this week and is in good
form,” trainer Saeed bin Suroor commented. “He is doing very well and we are
happy with him. We were a bit disappointed by his run in Germany, but think
softer ground will help him a lot — soft ground and a mile-and-a-half are the
key for him.”
The Arc also features the three-year-old filly SHAWANDA (Sinndar), who has
reeled off six straight wins, including the Irish Oaks (Ire-G1) and Prix
Vermeille (Fr-G1), since breaking her maiden in April.