The field for Sunday’s Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m) is taking shape, with 19 horses remaining after Monday’s first forfeit stage at ParisLongchamp.
Defending champion Daryz heads the list. Trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, he returned to winning form over the Arc course and distance in the Prix Foy after a below-par run at Royal Ascot. A second victory on Sunday would put him among the race’s rare back-to-back winners.
Graffard also has Varandir, who won the Prix Niel on Arc Trials Day. The three-year-old has lost only once, when favourite for the Grand Prix de Paris, and gives the Aga Khan Studs another serious chance. Stablemate Sunly remains entered but is expected to run in Saturday’s Prix Royallieu instead.
Britain’s challenge is led by Maltese Cross and Kalpana. William Haggas-trained Maltese Cross finished second in the Derby before winning the Grand Prix de Paris over Sunday’s course and distance. He then added the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York, giving him two wins from two starts since Epsom.
Kalpana has put together an outstanding season for Andrew Balding. Her victory over Calandagan in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes was followed by another Group 1 success in the Yorkshire Oaks. She now has the chance to add Europe’s biggest middle-distance prize to that record.
Aidan O’Brien has reduced his Arc team to three: last year’s runner-up Minnie Hauk, Irish Derby winner Benvenuto Cellini and Diamond Necklace. Minnie Hauk came closest to Daryz 12 months ago, while Benvenuto Cellini will need to improve on his fifth in the Prix Niel.
Diamond Necklace brings a different point of interest. The French Oaks and Nassau Stakes winner has yet to race over 2400m, and the Prix de l’Opéra remains an alternative target. O’Brien’s stated intention is to run all three in the Arc, with the ground likely to influence the final decision on Diamond Necklace.
His son Joseph O’Brien has left Oaks heroine Thundering On in the race. She would welcome some ease in the ground, making the weather an important part of her connections’ decision in the days ahead.
The British-trained group also includes Bay City Roller, whose emphatic Coronation Cup victory marked him as a top-class stayer, Roger Varian’s recent German Group 1 winner Saddadd, and Ralph Beckett’s Tattycoram.
Japan has two remaining hopes in Admire Terra and Meisho Tabaru, while Germany could be represented by Bright Light. Among the French entries is Arrow Eagle, who is set to give Jean-Claude Rouget a final runner in the race before the trainer ends his long career.
There may yet be another name added. Friendly Soul earned a free supplementary entry with her Prix Vermeille victory, and her connections have until Wednesday to decide whether she will take her place.
The barrier draw will be conducted on Thursday, October 1, at 8:45pm local Paris time. Before then, supplementary entries and decisions shaped by the weather will determine exactly which of the 19 remaining contenders meet Daryz on Sunday.
By Scott Bailey
