It appears to be just a seven race card on Arc Sunday at Chantilly looking at the entries on France Galop. At the first forfeit stage, it looks like this (local race times): 2:10 Prix Marcel Boussac 17 remain including Grecian Light, Sobetsu and Wuheida for Godolphin; Promise To Be True, Rhododendron and Key To My Heart for Ballydoyle; and Toulifaut (a Frankel Group 1 chance – course and distance winner) for Jean-Claude Rouget. 2:45 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère 8 remain of which five are from Ballydoyle: Capri, Whitecliffsofdover, Utah, Intelligence Cross and Peace Envoy. 3:20 Prix de l’Opéra 13 remain including Speedy Boarding (James Fanshawe), Jemayel (Jean-Claude Rouget), Seventh Heaven, Best In The World, Even Song (all Aidan O’Brien) and So Mi Dar (John Gosden). 4:05 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe 17 remain, so there will not be a maximum field unless there are supplementary entries (both Almanzor 7/2 and The Juliet Rose 50/1 had entries). They are: NEW BAY (14/1), POSTPONED (2/1), MIGWAR (66/1), HIGHLAND REEL (25/1), ONE FOOT IN HEAVEN (66/1), THE GREY GATSBY (50/1), SILVERWAVE (25/1), ORDER OF ST GEORGE (20/1), SILJAN’S SAGA (66/1), FOUND (7/1), HARZAND (8/1), VEDEVANI (200/1), ZARAK (33/1), TALISMANIC (50/1), MAKAHIKI (5/1), SAVOIR VIVRE (40/1), LEFT HAND (20/1). 4:50 Arabian World Cup (Pure Arabians) 16 remain 5:35 Prix de l’Abbaye 19 remain including Goldream (Robert Cowell), Profitable (Clive Cox), Marsha (Sir Mark Prescott), Mecca’s Angel (Michael Dods) and Ardad (John Gosden). 6:15 Prix de la Forêt 18 remain including Dutch Connection (Charlie Hills), Limato (Henry Candy), Cougar Mountain (Aidan O’Brien), Birchwood (Richard Fahey) and Lumiere (Mark Johnston).
The running order for Sunday has been updated and is now (local times): 2:10 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère 2:45 Prix Marcel Boussac 3:20 Prix de l’Opéra 4:05 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe 4:50 Arabian World Cup (Pure Arabians) 5:35 Prix de l’Abbaye 6:15 Prix de la Forêt Two were supplemented to the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère in King Of Spades and Thais, whilst Capri and Intelligence Cross defected leaving Ballydoyle with just three. There were some notable defections from the Prix de l’Opéra with Seventh Heaven and Even Song staying at home, whilst those not appearing in the Prix de la Forêt include Dutch Connection, Cougar Mountain and Lumiere. The only movement on the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe was a further defection, Zarak, leaving a maximum of sixteen to face the starter: NEW BAY (14/1), POSTPONED (2/1), MIGWAR (66/1), HIGHLAND REEL (25/1), ONE FOOT IN HEAVEN (66/1), THE GREY GATSBY (50/1), SILVERWAVE (25/1), ORDER OF ST GEORGE (16/1), SILJAN’S SAGA (66/1), FOUND (7/1), HARZAND (8/1), VEDEVANI (200/1), TALISMANIC (50/1), MAKAHIKI (5/1), SAVOIR VIVRE (40/1), LEFT HAND (20/1).
AOB, master of his trade with a 1-2-3 in the Arc. Well done STH and well done Found, a deserved success.
Pays a lovely compliment to Golden Horn, who had a real top class season last year. Dispels any doubts over his worth. Should think he'll have interest at stud after that!
She'd a won it last year given a ride though, but yeah very high class horse as he showed winning races right from April to October. I like that in a horse, especially these flat things who only run a season or two.
Found, Highland Reel, Order Of St George, the day I consider any of them good enough to win the Arc will be a sad day.
Just got the 1-2-3 mate. Sorry. Postponed was the only one you're yak had to beat too Remember the abuse you give me tipping up FOUND to win an Arc too I'll say no more
A post-script to the Arc. Ascot Gold Cup winners must always be considered for the Arc- the strong gallop plays to their strengths. Although doubtless a few more have contested the race, the only three that spring to mind are the two I backed- Levmoss (won at 80/1); Westerner (second at 33/1); and now Order Of St George (third). Both of the first two mentioned had class speed and benefitted from cut in the ground- usual for the race. If the race had been in soft ground at Longchamp, Order Of St George may have been much closer. Worth bearing in mind for the future.