Chaparral team happy ahead of Arc
Dual Derby winner High Chaparral was today confirmed on course for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Lucien Barriere at Longchamp on Sunday after his latest blood tests satisfied the Ballydoyle team.
Aidan O’Brien’s colt has not been seen in racecourse action since his victory at the Curragh at the end of June after the stable’s inmates were affected by a bout of coughing.
And High Chaparral has missed two recent possible engagements due to a poor blood picture.
But O’Brien said: “High Chaparral is as ready as we could have him without a prep run which we would obviously have preferred.
“He’s a clear-winded horse and his work has been exceptional this year. We are just happy to go there and are hoping he runs a nice race.”
The champion trainer is not too concerned over the underfoot conditions at Longchamp, currently described as good to soft, but expected to dry out by Sunday.
High Chaparral’s Vodafone Derby success was gained on good to soft going.
He said: “I wouldn’t worry too much about him if the ground was fast, he handled it well at Leopardstown.”
O’Brien also runs Black Sam Bellamy and he added: “Black Sam Bellamy is running on his merits. There is a pacemaker in for Sulamani so I don’t think that will be a worry.”
High Chaparral, Michael Kinane’s mount, has a favoured inside draw in stall five while his stable companion races out of box 11.
Bookmakers William Hill have promoted High Chaparral to 15-8 favourite for the Longchamp spectacular.
Asian Heights has the disadvantage of the outside draw to overcome if he is to figure in the finish of the Arc.
The Geoff Wragg-trained colt, who will be ridden by Darryll Holland, has been drawn in 16.
Reacting to the start position Holland said: “No-one wants to be drawn 16 of 16 in the Arc but at least I’m on a hold-up horse – it would be much harder if I had to be up with the pace.
“I’ll just drop in behind from my berth and see what we can do as we’ve got a mile and a half to sort things out.
“At least I’ve got a horse in top form and Mr Wragg has done a wonderful job nursing him back to his best after injury.”
Sir Michael Stoute’s filly Islington is drawn in stall nine, while Godolphin’s Marienbard is in three.
French Derby victor and long-time ante-post favourite Sulamani has drawn berth 13 with Sensible running as his pacemaker.
In a truly international contest Manhattan Cafe will represent Japan with Boreal running for Germany and the Italian hope Falbrav will be trainer Luciano d’Auria’s first runner in the Arc.
The ground has eased at Longchamp on the eve of the two-day meeting and is currently on the verge of being soft.
A course spokesman reported the penetrometer reading was 3.4, compared with 3.3 24 hours earlier. Soft ground is officially classed as 3.5 in France.
Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Lucien Barriere betting:
William Hill: 15-8 High Chaparral, 2-1 Sulamani, 7-1 Aquarelliste, 9-1 Marienbard, 10-1 Islington, Manhattan Cafe, 14-1 Asian Heights, 20-1 Falbrav, 33-1 Anabaa Blue, 40-1 Boreal, 50-1 Ana Marie, 66-1 Califet, 80-1 Fair Mix, 150-1 Foundation Spirit, 200-1 Black Sam Bellamy, Sensible.
Ladbrokes: 2-1 High Chaparral, Sulamani, 7-1 Islington, 9-1 Aquarelliste, Marienbard, 12-1 Manhattan Cafe, 16-1 Asian Heights, 18-1 Falbrav, 33-1 Anabaa Blue, Ana Marie, 40-1 Boreal, 50-1 Califet, 80-1 Fair Mix, 150-1 Foundation Spirit, Sensible, 200-1 Black Sam Bellamy.
Coral: 2-1 Sulamani, 9-4 High Chaparral, 7-1 Aquarelliste, 15-2 Islington, 10-1 Marienbard, Manhattan Cafe, 16-1 Asian Heights, 18-1 Falbrav, 33-1 Anabaa Blue, Ana Marie, 40-1 Boreal, 50-1 Califet, Fair Mix, 100-1 Sensible, 150-1 Black Sam Bellamy, Foundation Spirit.
