Horse Racing
Season
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe - Form Comments

29/09/2017 16:01

G1 – 2400m – Turf

1 Zarak Has had training problems but showed sharp acceleration to win a G3 (2000m) at Meydan in February, also winning a G1 over 2400m at Saint-Cloud in July, his last start. His trainer says he wants slow ground as Zarak didn’t appear to handle quicker ground on the downhill section of this track back in May. A closer.
2 Doha Dream Ridden close to the speed as usual, he did win a G2 over 3000m on good ground at this meeting last year. Narrowly beaten in a G3 and G2 over 2500m at Deauville on his last two starts and he looks vulnerable at this level at this shorter distance.
3 One Foot In Heaven In the rear for much of last year’s Arc after missing the start but he ran on into sixth with plenty of better fancied contenders behind. This track clearly suits as he is also twice a G2 winner over this distance at Chantilly – both times on soft ground. He should be a fresh horse after a light 2017 season.
4 Ulysses Has massively enhanced his reputation this season with a collection of sparkling performances including two at G1 level, latterly in the International Stakes at York when he easily dismissed classy rivals, always travelling smoothly. Tends to sit off the speed, and though his best performances have come over shorter, he stays this distance well. Very soft ground would be a worry.
5 Cloth Of Stars Has received a typically French Arc preparation with a mid-season break that followed three straight wins that included a G2 victory over 2000m at Chantilly. Back here in September when second to Dschingis Secret in a G2 Arc trial, racing too keenly early, but finishing fast. A late closer, comfortable on good ground or softer.
6 Silverwave A G1 winner over this distance on good ground at Saint-Cloud in July 2016 but made no impact in last year’s Arc or the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin. Disappointing most recently over this course and distance in September and hard to fancy.
7 Idaho His three wins have all come on a fast surface though he is also effective on good to soft ground. A G2 winner over this distance at Royal Ascot in June, and then 5 1/4L behind Arc favourite Enable in an Ascot G1 in July. Tends to sit close to the pace.
8 Dschingis Secret Soft ground would be a big plus for this German-trained colt who won a G1 at Hoppergarten on his penultimate start before proving himself over this course and distance with a G2 victory in an Arc trial in September. He didn’t seem to have a hard race then, sitting close to the front which are his usual tactics.
9 Satono Diamond A dual G1 winner on firm ground in Japan at up to 3000m, but he failed to justify the hype on his French debut over the Arc course and distance in September. He raced prominently and led briefly but faded into fourth and whilst the soft ground was a negative, it was still disappointing.
10 Satono Noblesse Has winning form at up to this distance, and mostly on firm ground, in Japan. However he’s clearly second string to stablemate  Satono Diamond  and, after reluctantly leading, he faded out when last of six in a G2 Arc trial at Chantilly this month.
11 Iquitos A closer, he finished fast to win a G1 over 2000m on ideal good ground at Munich in July and another late surge took him into second in another G1, at Baden-Baden, in September. In good form again this season but probably isn’t quite good enough for this task.
12 Order Of St George This popular ten-times winner has stamina for 4000m but proved that he had the speed to make an impact over 2400m at this level when third in last year’s Arc. Confirmed his well-being when a runaway winner of his last two starts, both on ideally slow ground.
13 Seventh Heaven She won two G1’s over this distance in the summer of 2016 on good and fast ground and that included a defeat of last year’s Arc winner Found at York. Not at her best on very soft ground last time and drying conditions are important for her. Usually played late.
14 Brametot Supporters hope that he is back to the shape of his Prix du Jockey Club victory in June when  despite being sleepy at the gates he finished fastest of all on good to soft ground to grab that G1 prize over 2100m at this track. Again missed the start at Deauville, but couldn’t quicken up then. Up to 2400m, but plenty of stamina on the dam’s side of his pedigree.
15 Capri Talented and really tough as he showed with brave G1 victories on his last two starts. In early July he won the Irish Derby at The Curragh, and in September he fended off persistent challengers to win another Classic, Doncaster’s St Leger. Back in distance from that stamina test and happy on good or soft ground.
16 Plumatic A lightly-raced colt who was last of 12 in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club here in June, but ran much better when a close second in a 2000m G3 on very slow ground when returning in September. Needs to find plenty more but can’t be ignored from his multi-Arc winning stable.
17 Enable The overwhelming star of the 2017 European season, making amazing progress from April and winning four G1’s over this distance since early June. Two starts ago she thrashed older rivals at Ascot and then led from gate to wire for another terrific performance at York. This powerful three-year-old filly is the certain and justifiable favourite for Arc glory.
18 Winter Big and powerful and the winner of four succcessive G1’s this year including the English and Irish 1000 Guineas, at Newmarket and The Curragh. Proven on diverse ground conditions and usually delivered late,  she has won at up to 2000m. A slight training setback may have been responsible for a narrow G1 defeat at Leopardstown in September. Ryan Moore has chosen her as his ride.