Arc de triomphe Sunday Oct 1st

bowles10 · September 26, 2006

Hurricane Run, Shirocco and Japanese superstar Deep Impact all feature among 12 horses to have stood their ground at the latest entry stage for Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. The top-notch trio have resided near the head of the ante-post lists for some time and look set to lock horns in what promises to be a vintage renewal. Sir Percy is, as expected, an absentee but Aidan O'Brien has left both Irish Champion Stakes hero Dylan Thomas and dual Classic winner Alexandrova in the Longchamp showpiece at this stage, although both are far from certain to take up the challenge. The Ballydoyle pair could spearhead a strong challenge from the Classic generation as impressive Prix Niel winner Rail Link could also take his chance along with Dragon Dancer and Best Name, second in the English and French Derbies respectively. Alain de Royer-Dupre's consistent inmate Pride, last seen running an eyecatching race behind Shirocco and Hurricane Run in the Prix Foy, has also stood her ground in the mouth-watering contest, along with Championship Point, Germance and Irish Wells. The Jeremy Noseda-trained Sixties Icon, a smooth winner of the St Leger on his most recent outing, is likely to be supplemented to the field later in the week, while connections of Mandesha are also considering adding their filly to the line up. Mandesha's big weekend target may remain temporarily undecided, but de Royer-Dupre gave a positive update on Pride, who is ready to take up the challenge. "At the beginning of the season it was the programme to go for the Arc with Pride," the trainer told At The Races. "She's fresh, ready, and she's in good condition. "In the Prix Foy the ground was too firm and when the ground is like that she doesn't give her maximum but she gave a marvellous gallop this morning on the soft ground." De Royer-Dupre suggested the state of the ground could dictate plans for Mandesha and that a final decision will be made shortly. "She worked a normal gallop but the ground was a little bit soft and when the ground is soft it is not the same. She worked a mile today," he explained. "We have the two possibilities but the problem with this filly is the ground and that could be the problem for the two races - in Longchamp at this time I think it's 3.5 (on the penetrometer). "She is going to run in one of the two." Championship Point will be an absentee as his inclusion among the dozen happened by error. His trainer Mick Channon said: "There's another opportunity to take him out on Wednesday. He shouldn't be in the race."