Workforce will clock on for Arc

Fears that Workforce could miss the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on Sunday because of fast ground have been calmed after connections walked the track. And there was further good news for connections when big-race jockey Ryan Moore emerged unscathed from his return to action at Ascot yesterday.

Sir Michael Stoute’s Workforce will attempt to become the first horse since Alleged (1977-78) to win back-to-back renewals of Europe’s premier all-aged middle-distance race. Only Dylan Thomas in 2007 has prevented a horse from the Classic generation winning in the past eight renewals and prevailing hot weather in France had threatened the participation of last year’s Derby and Arc hero.

The four-year-old will have former champion jockey Moore on board after a timely recovery from a broken bone in his hand suffered at Glorious Goodwood, and Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to owner Khalid Abdullah, believes that is a massive bonus.

At the draw, Workforce was handed stall eight, the same gate he won from 12 months ago.

“I hope it’s as lucky as last year and he’s fared better [in the draw] than some of the other fancied runners,” said Grimthorpe. “We walked the track this morning and it is on the easy side of good. They put ten millimetres on so, from that point of view, we are fairly happy.

“Obviously, depending on what the weather does, they will consider putting more on and review the situation on Saturday night, and I’m hopeful of a happy outcome.

“He’s had a few problems but you can’t say he’s an unlucky horse. He’s won an Arc and a Derby so he’s had things go right for him as well. It’s obviously great to have Ryan back. He knows him, he’s the only one to have ridden him, he knows what to expect. The horse is in very good shape. Sir Michael is very happy with him.

“We don’t feel pressure, that’s not the right word. We look forward to these races. It is what you are involved in the game for, you don’t feel pressure. There’s an excitement. There have not been many dual Arc winners and we’ve got a bit of work to do to join them.”

Workforce was mown down late by So You Think in the Eclipse, but Stoute feels the extra two furlongs will be in his favour. “A very good mile-and-a-quarter horse beat him in the Eclipse, but gave him a race and we know we are proven at a mile and a half – he’s a Derby and Arc winner,” said Stoute. “Ryan said about four out [in the King George] that Frankie’s [Dettori] horse [Rewilding] just clipped him behind and, when he was under pressure, he hung left.

He came back stiff behind. I don’t know how much that contributed [to him hanging left], but he had turned in looking the winner. I hope he will be in the same shape [as last year]. It is a very competitive Arc. I was very impressed with Sarafina [in her trial]. She was a bit keen and fresh and Reliable Man too.”

Masked Marvel has been supplemented at the cost of €100,000 after winning the Ladbrokes St Leger in great style, and represents John Gosden instead of Nathaniel, who will now wait for the Champion Stakes.

“We’re actually in the middle of an Indian summer, with increased temperatures,” said Gosden. “But despite all the watering, the ground at Longchamp will no doubt be close to that of the Leger. It will be to Masked Marvel’s liking.”

The elegant filly Sarafina, baulked just as she was making her challenge in last October’s Paris showpiece, finished an unlucky third behind Workforce.

Alain de Royer-Dupre, twice trainer of an Arc winner, is confident the Aga Khan’s Sarafina is spot on for a second challenge after accelerating smoothly away to victory in her prep race, the Prix Foy.

De Royer-Dupre, who has been France’s champion trainer and landed the French Derby six times, also has a more than able second string in recent Prix Niel winner Reliable Man. But a firm decision on his participation is being left until the very last moment.

So You Think is bidding to become only the eighth older horse to win the Arc, which has often been dominated by the best three-year-olds, in the last 25 years. Undaunted, O’Brien is lining up the galloping five-year-old colt for a hectic autumn schedule of big race challenges. And he is used to a heavy schedule – he contested five Group 1 races in just six weeks during his last spring in Melbourne. Of the 14 runners left in the race, O’Brien has supplied four – So You Think, St Nicholas Abbey, Seville and Treasure Beach.

Frankie Dettori has not missed an Arc since his days as a fresh-faced teenager and this time he rides Ed Dunlop’s dual Oaks winner Snow Fairy.