No ground concerns for Novellist in Arc
The ground at the Paris course was reported as officially good to soft yesterday the International Racing Bureau, and it will be generally warm and dry in the region until Friday night.
A field of 21 horses stood their ground at the first forfeit stage, with the leading ante-post hopes still in the mix, while the likes of Treve and Leading Light are expected to be supplemented for €100,000 on Thursday.
Ground should not be a concern for Novellist, who has won on conditions ranging from good to firm to soft.
Trainer Andreas Wohler is confident his representative will strip much fitter than when winning at Baden Baden last time out.
Novellist is unbeaten this season, including three times at the highest level, but he really sprang to prominence when routing top-class opposition in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.
Next time out in Germany he was nowhere near as impressive in seemingly weaker company, despite it being a Group One, but Wohler was using the race purely as a stepping stone.
Man-of-the-moment Johnny Murtagh was on board at Ascot and he will take over in the saddle once more at Longchamp.
“The horse is very well and he did his last piece of work (on Monday),” Wohler told At The Races.
“Everything has gone smooth and fine since his last race and hopefully it will for the next couple of days so we are looking forward to Sunday.
“Johnny did everything right at Ascot, I spoke to him yesterday and he’s really looking forward to it.”
Japanese runner Orfevre was denied victory in the dying strides of the race last year and he is primed to try his luck again after running an impressive trial when winning the Prix Foy.
He is set to be joined by fellow Japanese contender Kizuna.
Just behind Kizuna that day was Aidan O’Brien’s Derby winner Ruler Of The World and he is one possible for Ballydoyle, along with last year’s Derby winner Camelot and Racing Post Trophy winner Kingsbarns.
Andre Fabre has left in Intello, Flintshire, Ocovango, Pirika and Penglai Pavilion, while Al Kazeem, Joshua Tree, The Fugue and Very Nice Name are other possibles.
