Rail Link puts Fabre in Arc seventh heaven
Last year’s winner Hurricane Run and Breeders’ Cup Turf hero Shirocco completed Fabre’s raiding party on the eight-strong field – the smallest assembled since 1941 – but it was the outsider of his trio who prevailed.
The weeks building up to the mile-and-a-half contest had been dominated by Fabre’s better-fancied duo and Deep Impact, winner of the Japanese Triple Crown last year.
But the older brigade were upset by Rail Link, who paid 8-1 on the industry starting price in Britain but a huge 24-1 on the local Pari-Mutuel.
He mastered down Deep Impact inside the distance after an enthralling duel and eventually scored by a neck from the fast-finishing mare Pride.
Deep Impact – a 1-2 chance locally after a huge plunge by the massive Japanese contingent – was a further half-length back in third.
Stephane Pasquier always kept the victorious colt close up with the main body of runners led by the front-running Irish Wells, who had Deep Impact and Shirocco for company during the first mile.
Deep Impact – who had brought in excess of 3,000 supporters from his homeland and was 1-10 on the Pari-Mutuel in the hours building up to the race – set sail for home rounding the turn, but he could never quite shrug off his closest pursuers.
Rail Link was always hot on his heels and came with a telling run when unleashed by Pasquier, with only Pride matching his change of gear and flying down the outside to just be denied.
Hurricane Run failed to pick up in his customary fashion and took fourth after meeting with a troubled passage under Kieren Fallon, with St Leger winner Sixties Icon seventh and Shirocco last.
Fabre, who also secured back-to-back runnings in 1997 and 1998 with Peintre Celebre and Sagamix, said: “They went a sensible pace. I was disappointed to see Hurricane Run boxed in, but I think the others had a fair race.
“It’s just part of the chain to win the Arc again, but of course I’m delighted, I’m very proud – and very proud for the horse.
“I thought they all had great chances, but it is always great to win with a three-year-old over older horses. My three are all Group One winners.
“Rail Link had won a Group One and won his prep so he was entitled to run.”
Holy Roman Emperor meanwhile was cut to 7-1 from 10-1 by the sponsors for the Stan James 2,000 Guineas after a mesmerising display in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere.
Kieren Fallon used his mount’s trademark turn of foot to perfection as the combination gunned down Battle Paint by two lengths, with Vital Equine third.
Aidan O’Brien wants to run Holy Roman Emperor again and take on his National Stakes conqueror Teofilo in the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket on October 14. Of the winner, who is 6-1 with Coral and Paddy Power (from 10) and Blue Square (from 8-1), O’Brien said: “He was due to run in France (Prix Morny), but missed that and was a little bit off schedule when he got beaten last time (by Teofilo in the National Stakes).
“But he has improved hand over fist since. He’s a very good horse and he’s getting better with every run. Racing brings out the best in him.
“He’s fast, he’s tough and he’s hardy. He quickens and he stays.
“If everything goes well we’d be delighted to go to the Dewhurst with him because that’s what he loves – competitive racing is going to bring the best out of him.
“Kieren said when he got to the front he was just doing enough.
“He’s a horse to really look forward to next year. He’ll definitely get the mile and might even get further if you wanted him to.”
Intriguingly, VC Bet make Holy Roman Emperor 4-1 favourite from 8-1 for the Guineas head of 5-1 chance Teofilo.
Cashmans price Teofilo at 4-6 and Holy Roman Emperor at 6-5 for a rematch in what would be an epic renewal of the Dewhurst.
The favourite Visionario proved disappointing and was one of the first beaten in the straight, weakening into sixth.
Finsceal Beo is a name to be reckoned with for the Stan James 1000 Guineas after she scooted home for trainer Jim Bolger and jockey Kevin Manning in the Prix Marcel Boussac.
She has been introduced into the Guineas betting at 12-1 by the sponsors, totesport, Coral and William Hill and is to be targeted at that Classic without another outing this season.
Bolger said: “I’ve had to train her more or less on the track to get her here.
“She got a hairline fracture after she ran the first time and she had to stand in for eight weeks and we took her to Tralee to try to get her ready for the (Goffs) Million.
“And in that race we were drawn on the wrong side at the Curragh, but we found out a lot about her there.
“She loved the ground here today and everything was in her favour.
“She’s pure class. She’ll go for the English 1000 Guineas first, then the Irish.
“If she gets a mile well that will do for me.
“She probably won’t have a prep run as it is difficult to find a suitable race in England or Ireland with a Group One penalty.”
The winner is a 12-1 chance with William Hill for the Guineas and was introduced at 10-1 second-favourite with Ladbrokes behind 5-1 favourite Sander Camillo.
Sergeant Cecil completed a major staying hat-trick for Rod Millman and Frankie Dettori in the Group One Prix du Cadran.
Given a peach of a ride by his pilot, who has taken the reins so effectively since Alan Munro was forced on to the sidelines, Millman’s gelding looked in trouble two furlongs out.
However, he dug deep into his stamina resources to wear down Shamdala and score by three-quarters of a length.
In following-up his Lonsdale and Doncaster Cup victories, he laid claim to challenging Yeats for the title of champion stayer and gave West Country trainer Millman his biggest success.
