THE heavens are expected to open in Paris on Sunday which is expected to dramatically change ground conditions at Longchamp.
We take a look through the field for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and pick out the runners who will thrive in testing ground.
Tarnawa (best odds: 11-4)
Dermot Weld’s top-class mare has proven herself to be versatile on all sorts of going over the past couple of seasons.
While arguably her career best performance came on a decent surface at the Breeders’ Cup, she was also a gutsy Group 1 winner at this meeting 12 months ago on heavy.
She has had two runs this year, winning easily first time out on ground described as ‘yielding to soft’ and completed her prep with a fine second to St Mark’s Basilica in the Irish Champion Stakes.
Hurricane Lane (5-1)
The Irish Derby and St Leger hero won’t be inconvenienced by a bit of rain in France.
He has been in sensational form since finishing third to stablemate Adayar in the Derby, with three wins including an emphatic six-length romp in the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp.
That impressive victory came on ‘very soft’ ground, and this powerful, big horse will plough through the mud without a care in the world.
Alenquer (33-1)
William Haggas’ three-year-old has a bit of ground to make up on Hurricane Lane, having finished seven lengths adrift at Longchamp in July.
But he absolutely loves it when the mud is flying, as he showed when breaking his maiden and bagging the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot, on ground which was officially ‘heavy’.
He is still lightly-raced and open to further progress, so it wouldn’t be a massive surprise to see him run a big race at juicy odds under Tom Marquand.
Sealiway (50-1)
Cedric Rossi’s three-year-old is one of the best chances for the home team, whose challenge this year is weaker than it’s been for many years.
He was a wide-margin winner of the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at this meeting last season on bottomless ground.
Things haven’t quite gone to plan for him so far this season and he has been off the track since finishing second to St Mark’s Basilica in June. He has untapped potential at this trip but he needs to take a big step forward.
And those who’ll hate it…
Derby and King George hero Adayar broke his maiden on soft ground, but his improvement has come on a fast surface this year.
Japanese challengers Chrono Genesis and Deep Bond will never have faced ground like this, while Aidan O’Brien’s Love is at her best on quick going.
Teona, Roger Varian’s Prix Vermeille winner, likes fast ground, too. She might not even line up if the forecast is accurate.
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https://www.sportingexcitement.com/horse-racing/trainer-johnny-farrelly-says-in-statement-he-will-launch-appeal-after-being-permanently-excluded-from-british-racing
