Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe 02 October 2016

What is arguably the biggest thoroughbred race in the world, Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, takes place this Sunday 02 October 2016 for the first time at Chantilly. Ruling favorite is Postponed.

The second favorite has been scratched

Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe: La Cressonniere pulled out of race

La Cressonniere will not run in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe next weekend.

Trainer Jean-Claude Rouget said the winner of the French versions of the 1,000 Guineas and Oaks, who was second favourite for the Arc, has a "problem".

"We don't know exactly what it is," he said. "She has to have an examination. The problem is towards the back."

Only Roger Varian's Postponed was ahead of her in the ante-post market for the race at Chantilly, which is run over one-and-a-half miles.

The traditional venue, Longchamp racecourse in Paris, is being renovated and will re-open in September 2017.

Dermot Weld has Tuesday workout plans for Arc hope Harzand

Dermot Weld will give Harzand a crucial workout on Tuesday after which a decision will be made as to whether the dual Derby hero takes his chance in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Weld reports the Classic-winning colt to be recovering well from the cut he sustained when unplaced in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown earlier this month.

Should Harzand please connections in the gallop, then he will bid for top honours in Europe's premier middle-distance race, which will be run at Chantilly on Sunday due to major redevelopment work at Longchamp.

Weld said: "Harzand is well and will do a bit of work on Tuesday. Hopefully they get some rain in Paris.

"He'll do some work on Tuesday morning and we'll see how he is.

"The little 'v' shape cut he got is healing well. There's quite a bit of bruising. It's nearly all gone.

"Providing we're happy with him on Tuesday, I'd say he'd be all set."

Fascinating Rock is also a possible for the Arc, although he has the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot on October 15 - a race he won last year - as an alternative target.

The Rosewell handler added: "Fascinating Rock could work on Tuesday as well and may go for the Arc or the Champion Stakes."

Aidan O'Brien lines up three-pronged attack on Arc

Aidan O'Brien looks set to have three leading chances in next weekend's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

The Chantilly showpiece is on the agenda for Gold Cup winner Order Of St George, together with King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes victor Highland Reel and top-class filly Found, who has finished second on her last five outings, all at Group One level.

O'Brien's star three-year-old filly Minding has a number of options at Ascot on Champions Day.

The Ballydoyle trainer said: "Order Of St George, Found and Highland Reel are in the mix at the moment for the Arc.

"Minding may run next at Ascot. She has three options with the Fillies And Mares, Champion Stakes and the QEII.

"Promise To Be True could go for the Boussac (at Chantilly), and we will decide on other plans for France during the week."

Meanwhile, O'Brien reported his Cheveley Park Stakes one-two Brave Anna and Roly Poly to have taken their exertions at Newmarket on Saturday well.

He added: "All the horses have come out of their races well at Newmarket yesterday. The two fillies, Brave Anna and Roly Poly, could go to the Breeders' Cup. Fast ground in Santa Anita would suit them."

1st time I can remember that the race won't be shown on teresteral TV in the UK

I like Postponed, but he's no Sea The Stars or Treve!

Will be weird watching the Abbaye not run on the famous Longchamp shuite

My favourite winner of this prestigious race was Danedream then Golden horn

Christophe Soumillon receives Silverwave Arc call-up at Chantilly

Christophe Soumillon will partner Silverwave for the first time in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Chantilly on Sunday.

The Pascal Bary-trained four-year-old won the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud in July and returned from a break to land the Prix Foy over the Arc course and distance earlier this month.

Maxime Guyon has been ever present in the saddle aboard Silverwave so far this season, but as he is committed to riding Prix Vermeille heroine Left Hand for owners the Wertheimer brothers, Bary has turned to Soumillon.

The star Belgian rider has won Europe's premier middle-distance prize twice aboard Dalakhani (2003) and Zarkava (2008).

Bary said: "Christophe Soumillon is going to ride him. Maxime needs to ride for the Wertheimers.

"I am very happy wit the horse. He worked very well (Monday morning).

"We are looking forward to the Arc."

Connections of the Carlos Laffon-Parias-trained Left Hand are hopeful she can become the fifth filly to win the Arc in the last six years.

Pierre-Yves Bureau, racing manager to the Wertheimer brothers, said: "Carlos is very happy with her and, all being well, she will run in the Arc."

We have a few early threads running and one of my fav races have been on Postponed for some time

Harzand fully recovered and in 'tremendous' form
BY LEWIS PORTEOUS 3:30PM 27 SEP 2016
DUAL Derby hero Harzand has fully recovered from the injury he sustained in the Irish Champion Stakes on his last start and goes into Sunday's Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in "tremendous form" according to big-race jockey Pat Smullen.

Harzand, trained by Dermot Weld, has already overcome adversity during a stellar season to date, recovering from a raceday scare to win the Derby at Epsom having spread a plate and bruised his foot on the morning of the race.

He followed up that success in the Irish Derby before his winning run ended when struck into during the Irish Champion Stakes. That setback threatened to derail his Arc bid but, after impressing in a gallop on Tuesday, it's all systems go for Sunday's showstopper at Chantilly.

"Harzand is in tremendous form and I'm really happy with him," said Smullen on Tuesday. "I rode him this morning and he felt well - it's all systems go. I suppose there is only one negative that the ground looks like being on the quick side but you never know, they might get a drop of rain between now and raceday. All is well with him."

Healing power

A general 8-1 chance for the Arc, Harzand is expected to relish the return to a mile and a half on Sunday and Smullen thinks his stern constitution can only be a positive as he bids for a third win at the highest level.

Speaking to At The Races, he added: "He's a tremendous horse and has some healing power - the way he recovered from Epsom with that bruised foot to bounce back and win the Irish Derby.

"Again he's recovered from being struck into behind in the Champion Stakes and I think it's a great sign in the horse that he's got that healing power and those little things don't affect him. He's able to take it like all the good ones do."

www.sportingbet.co.za/sports-horse-racin...)/1-171-1161558.html

Postponed heads 16 runners remaining in Arc reckoning

Postponed will face a maximum of 15 rivals in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Chantilly on Sunday.

The five-year-old is unbeaten in four starts since joining Roger Varian, enjoying Group One victories in the Dubai Sheema Classic, the Coronation Cup and the Juddmonte International.

No horses were added to the field at Thursday's supplementary stage, but Zarak was withdrawn to leave a field of 16.

There is still a chance that number could be reduced at the final withdrawal stage on Friday.

Aidan O'Brien has three contenders in Found, Highland Reel and Order Of St George, while dual Derby winner Harzand has stood his ground for Dermot Weld.

The only other remaining challenger from Britain or Ireland is the Kevin Ryan-trained The Grey Gatsby.

Other leading hopes include Japanese star Makahiki, New Bay and Left Hand.

Dettori picks up the ride on Order Of St George