Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe

By Alan Conway

The European turf season reaches its apex this Sunday when the cream of Europe’s best horses line up and race for the coveted Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.

Universally known as one of the highlights of the season, the Arc has been the benchmark for greatness and has played host to unforgettable memories down through the ages.

Think of the Arc and Dancing Brave, Mill Reef, Nijinsky and Sea The Stars all spring to mind. All legendary horses who gave us lasting memories at Longchamp, although Nijinsky left us with a tainted memory as he was beaten in his Arc.

This year’s renewal looks up to par. Workforce, the defending champion, heads a strong field that includes So You Think, crack fillies Snow Fairy and Sarafina, along with King George winner Nathanial, who remains a doubt owing to firm ground conditions.

Irish eyes will be on Coolmore’s So You Think as he looks to round off what has been a successful European campaign since he came to Aidan O’Brien’s yard from Australia. The High Chaparral horse has landed a trio of Group 1 races since his arrival, but will face his greatest test at Longchamp.

He comes into the race after narrowly holding off Snow Fairy in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown last time out. That day he looked to be idling in front. If he is on top of his game he will be very hard to beat.

Workforce, who will be bidding to become the first horse since Alleged in the 1970s to win back to back Arcs, has enjoyed a similar preparation to the one that took him to success in Paris last year.

He has been off the course since finishing second to Nathanial, despite hanging violently in the final furlong, at Ascot in July. The Kings Best colt has been off the track since and had a tune up at Sandown recently where he was joined by fit again Ryan Moore who will get the leg up on Sunday.

On current form it would be hard to fancy Workforce, yet he blew that theory away last year having bounced back from a shocker in the King George. Even back to his best though, Workforce may struggle and a placed finish would look about right.

Sarafina, one feels is priced up on her run in last year’s Arc where she found all sorts of trouble before flying home to finish third behind Workforce. While she has enjoyed a good season thus far it’s hard to imagine that she could beat an on song So You Think and/or Workforce.

The big danger in the race could be Snow Fairy. Last year’s duel Oaks winner had an interrupted start to the campaign and only really had one race this season, when she finished second to So You Think. She comes good at this time of the year and with a fast pace almost certain she should be bang there at the business end.

Reliable Man could prove the best of the French challengers. The Prix De Jockey Club winner won the established trial for the Arc, the Prix Neil, over course and distance and won’t be far away. However the vote goes to So You Think to round off his European season with the biggest prize to date.

By Alan Conway