Godolphin on weather watch for Arc bid

Published on Wednesday 1 October 2008 23:58

GODOLPHIN are looking for ease in the ground before committing their sole hope Schiaparelli to Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.

Sheikh Mohammed's team have won France's most prestigious race twice this decade through Sakhee in 2001 and Marienbard a year later, and have seen Schiaparelli emerge as a late contender.

Formerly trained in Germany, he returned from a year away from the racecourse with a close second to Zambezi Sun on his Godolphin debut in the Prix Foy. He is a general 25-1 shot with his participation not yet decided. "We are waiting for the rain," said Godolphin trainer Saeed Bin Suroor.

"The horse is in good form and worked very well earlier this week, but he needs softer ground so we will wait and see."

The ground at Longchamp was measured at 3.2 (good) yesterday but rainfall is expected.

Connections of Papal Bull are still waiting on a rider for their five-year-old, a narrow runner-up to Duke Of Marmalade in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes who was promoted to the same position after Oriental Tiger was disqualified in Cologne last time.

David Stack, a member of the Papal Bull Syndicate, said: "The jockey booking is fluid at the moment, but Sir Michael Stoute says it will be sorted out by tomorrow morning."

Last year's unlucky runner-up Youmzain pleased trainer Mick Channon as Sam Hitchcott partnered him for his final work. "We know him so much better and are delighted with him," Channon said. "It looks as competitive an Arc as there's been in the last ten to 12 years.

"It's so difficult to count anything out, and that's what makes it such an exciting race to look forward to.

"Like a lot of these races, much will depend on the way the cards fall. Obviously we'd like a strong pace for Youmzain, but as far as the ground is concerned it wouldn't bother me if it was good or just on the soft side.

"We know he'll handle some cut but it was pretty lively when he won the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud."

Nineteen remain in the Arc after four more dropouts yesterday. Top American performer Curlin was expectedly scratched along with Gloria de Campeao, La Boum and Aidan O'Brien's King of Westphalia.

Ayr, meanwhile, have called a second inspection for 7am ahead of today's meeting at the track.

Officials took an initial look yesterday morning and, while the course was raceable, they feel it prudent to check again in light of a wet forecast.

Clerk of the course Katherine Self said: "We are OK at the moment but it would be quite a close call. Given that we're 24 hours away from racing and with a further six millimetres forecast in showers, we think it's sensible to have another look at 7am."