In the last 10 years , the running of the traditional ARC trials at Paris-Longchamp has only produced one winner that has gone on to win Europe’s premier race the Prix de la Arc de Triomphe on the first Sunday in October.
In 2019 Waldgeist won the Prix Foy in a time of 2.28 on good ground and returned to win the big prize three weeks later on soft ground in a time of 2.31. This was probably one of the best quality ARC’s in recent years with two times winner Enable in 2nd, 2020 winner Sotsass in 3rd and the brilliant Magical in 5th.
The Prix Vermeille clocked the fastest time of the three trials with the improving Judmontte filly Bluestocking ridden brilliantly by Rossa Ryan winning bravely from Adventure who was in receipt of 3.5kg . The faster early sectional times created by the pacemaker Halfday in the same Wertheimer ownership as the runner up did not work to plan with Bluestocking showing great tenacity and staying power to outbattle Adventure having been passed 200m from home. Bluestocking had a top speed of 62.8kmph.
The Prix Foy went to Iresine for the 2nd time in three years in a time of 2.34.15 . Iresine clocked the highest speed from the 2400m races of 64kmph McLloyd Tracking .The Coolmore owned Continuous set the early fractions and was outpaced in the final 200m by Iresine and will be produced in prime condition to improve on last years Arc placing of 5th position with a guaranteed fast pace. Similarly Zarir could be a player on October 6th as he was an unlucky fast finishing 2nd in the Prix Ganay in April and has nice track form clocking final 600m sectional times of 11.78 , 11.58 and 11.85 on the McLloyd tracker.
The Prix Niel in theory looked like being the best trial of the day with Ante Post ARC favorite Look de Vega fading in the final 200m and Sosie showing good finishing speed and is new Favourite for the big race on October 6th . Look de Vega set the fractions until tiring late on and will no doubt strip much fitter next time out . Race time was slightly slower than the Prix Foy 2.34.33. Sosie looked really fit on his way to the start and might not confirm the placings with Look de Vega on ARC day. Delius ran well to finish 2nd and confirmed previous running with Sosie. All three could reoppose in the big race .Race pace slowed down at 1800-1600m down to 53.7kmph on the McLloyd Speedometer and gradually increased all the way to the line with Sosie clocking 62.5kmph. All races ran of Soft Ground .
The Arc will be run at a much paster pace but it is doubtful that there will anything of the quality of last years winner Ace Impact who was really impressive and clocked a final 600m on the McLloyd Tracker in 33.05 (11.35, 10.67,11.03) hitting an impressive max speed of 66.8kmph coming from way off the pace and was the most impressive ARC winner since the great Dancing Brave.
David Gregory
ALL THE RACE REPORTS ARE AVAILABLE ON FRANCE GALOP’S WEBSITE : https://www.france-galop.com/en/racing/other-dates