Bago bids to boost Arc claims

Bago could emerge as a leading Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe candidate when he tackles the French Derby 1-2-3 in the Prix Niel at Longchamp on Sunday.

The Group Two race has been a major pointer to the Arc and was won last year by Dalakhani, who beat Doyen a length and a half in the Niel before capturing the big prize.

Sunday’s race is a vintage renewal and features the reappearance of Blue Canari, who has not run since he came from the clouds to land the Prix du Jockey-Club at Chantilly in June.

He is reopposed by the runner-up Prospect Park and the third, Valixir, both of whom have won since.

Bago, trained by Chantilly-based Englishman Jonathan Pease, lost little in defeat when third to Sulamani in the Juddmonte International at York last time out.

He runs here instead of contesting a particularly hot renewal of the Baileys Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.

Bago, who will be aided by a pacemaker in Alnitak, has the Breeders’ Cup Classic as his main target, but he could still be sent for the Arc on October 3 if he proves his ability to stay 12 furlongs.

“Jonathan wanted to see how the horse coped over this trip,” said the Niarchos family’s racing manager Alan Cooper. “His end-of-season objective remains the Breeders’ Cup.

“He learned a lot from his York run. He was the best three-year-old in the race. He’s in good form and has done very well since then.”

Sunday’s Group One Prix Vermeille throws Latice into the Arc melting pot.

Latice, who was last seen winning the French Oaks in impressive style, was withdrawn from the Prix de la Nonette at Deauville because of the state of the ground.

Her rider Christophe Soumillon has made it clear he believes she is something special.

Part-owner Paul Nataf has been pleased by what he has seen of the Jean-Marie Beguigne-trained star on the gallops this week.

“Latice worked on Monday morning on the Les Aigles gallop with two work companions,” he said.

“It was a real piece of work, over 2200m (11 furlongs). She’s been training really well. The number of runners in the Vermeille should guarantee a decent pace.”

Chief among her 12 rivals should be this season’s double Group Two winner Lune d’Or, trained at Chantilly by Englishman Richard Gibson.

She won the Prix de Pomone at Deauville on her last outing last month.

British interest in the Arc trials is slim, with only the Richard Hannon-trained Nysaean taking part. He faces three rivals in the Group Two Prix Foy.