Workforce uncertain to defend title in Arc

Fast conditions could rule Workforce out of a rematch with Nakayama Festa (France Galop) Sir Michael Stoute suggested Thursday that fast ground at Longchamp could mean that Khalid Abdullah’s Workforce (GB) would be denied the opportunity of becoming the first back-to-back winner of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe since Alleged in 1978. With well-above average temperatures across Europe and no rainfall ahead of Sunday’s feature, the team behind the four-year-old are looking closely at underfoot conditions, which have already led to the absence of his King George conqueror Nathaniel and also threaten the participation of another leading candidate in Reliable Man. “I am concerned about the ground and would have reservations about running, but I’d have to speak to Teddy Grimthorpe and the Prince,” Stoute said of the 2010 Epsom Derby hero, who was scratched from the Breeders’ Cup Turf last term due to ground fears. “I’ve been really happy with his preparation, but disappointed to hear about the weather forecast because he’s a big, heavy horse and we do like good ground for him. We’re a long way from it at the moment and someone’s going to have a look at the track today and give us an update.”

Workforce, who was reportedly struck into by the ill-fated Rewilding during
his last start when second in the July 23 Ascot feature, has otherwise pleased
connections as he builds toward his second Arc.

“It’s difficult to win one, let alone two,” Stoute added. “He’s had a nice
break after the King George, having been stiff behind for a week or 10 days and
his racecourse gallop at Sandown was a satisfactory workout which brought him on
a little bit more.

“I’ve been very happy with his performances this year and, while we
campaigned him over a mile and a quarter earlier on, we know this is his best
distance. We’re very happy with his condition and it looks a particularly strong
renewal this year, so it’s disappointing we’re having this Indian summer in
Paris.”

Also on the doubtful list with the ground riding unusually quick is the June
5 Prix du Jockey Club and September 11 Prix Niel hero Reliable Man.

Trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre said, “Fast ground is a problem, as it was too
firm (when third) in the Grand Prix de Paris (at Longchamp July 14) and he
doesn’t like it. Good-to-firm is not best for him and I am afraid of that. If we
have no rain, it could be that he won’t run as he is entered in the Champion
Stakes (at Ascot October 15). He looks very well and only the ground worries
me.”

As expected, there were three supplementary entries at Thursday’s stage at
€100,000 apiece and they were Bjorn
Nielsen’s September 10 St Leger hero Masked Marvel, the Rothschild family’s
Grand Prix de Paris winner Meandre and Gestut Burg Eberstein’s July 24
Deutschland-Preis and September 4 Grosser Preis von Baden heroine Danedream.

There was only one withdrawal and that was Michael Tabor’s Seville, leaving a
maximum of 16 set to go to post.