Arc - Desert Crown, Titleholder, Vadeni

If the King George's winner and runner-up were from a big stable and trained locally respectively they'd most likely be vying for favouritism today despite the no-show from either Westover and Emily Upjohn; the winner and runner-up achieved their position on merit.

As the ground on Arc Day is usually on the softish side the runner-up of the King George yesterday and Arc holder Torquator Tasso would be the one to fear most. But, I'd still side with Desert Crown if he shows and possibly with a prep race or a racecourse gallop. preferably the former.

The Arc needs a 3yr old superstar!

Charlie Appleby seems to have a very strong hand of 3 and 4yo middle distance horses but which one if any runs in the Arc remains to be seen.

I would imagine d.c will now be aimed at the breeders cup turf . The arc isn't his bag and Stoute is long enough in the tooth to know that . I reckon he'll go for a prep irish or english champion , then look to peak for the turf and on to japan . Just my opinion

He may even run in the niel and then see what the going is doing , but , stoute will have the turf as his major target

You're both ain't right. The Sheema Classic for the egotist owner. I hope connections remembered what happened to Postponed after running in the same race. He was gone come The Arc.

But, history has an annoying habit of repeating itself when least welcome.

I'm happy to draw a line under that King George and dismiss it as a race that fell apart as I read
somewhere that they covered the first 5f in a faster time than the sprint (albeit a handicap and on
a different track) on the same card.
He's an admirable colt but I just don't rate him as a top group one horse capable of winning an Arc.

I wouldn't underestimate last year's winner as a bum just because he was a huge price as he won
fair & square but I'd be happy to lay the gonads off Pyledriver who proved best at picking up the
pieces at Ascot - I just don't fancy his chances at Longchamp though of course they all have their
price - his just ain't big enough to interest me, though in saying that, for various reasons there's
occasionally a perplexing result in what I consider the top European race, so in summary I'd be happy
to lay for the frame.

"Derby hero Desert Crown appears increasingly unlikely to feature in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe or Champion Stakes, with the Classic winner in a race against time to return for the backend of the season"

Does not look good.

Thought they he won't be seen till Dubai ?

I think Torquator Tasso is the value bet on very soft ground when Baaeed and/or Desert Crown (market indicating an unlikely show) are absentees; the present lot are no better than those won by Sottsass.

But, to me backing any other than Baaeed or Desert Crown devalues the prestige of the race even if backing the winner (coincidentally).

Not having Desert Crown or Baaeed in the race will devalue the Arc. But betting against them surely doesn't?

It's a bonus if Baaeed runs in this as was never 1st choice on connections list.
As for Desert Crown not running,no one's seen him since the Derby.Still a good
race in their absence.
Alpinista won 8/10, her last 7 on the spin with her last 5 being GP1s.
Pyledriver - King George Wnr & also a Coronation Cup Wnr.
Last years Arc Wnr & King George 2nd Torquator Tasso.
Hurricane Lane an Irish Derby & St Leger Wnr as well as a good 3rd last year.
Possibly,Vadeni,Titleholder,Adayar,New London & others.

Soumillon likened Vadeni to Almanzor. If only he'd said that earlier, I'd have backed the horse for the Irish Champion Stakes antepost. As such, the present 6/4 is too stingy against Mishriff and Luxembourg, I reckon.

But you have continually stated that Vadeni is not in the same league as Almanzor??