Amid all sorts of absences, Alpinista can be the Arc angel
GREY DAY: Alpinista got the better of Tuesday in the Yorkshire Oaks to stretch her winning sequence to seven. Victory in Sunday's Arc would crown the career of her trainer Mark Prescott. Picture: Healy Racing
If a horse race was confectionary, then Sunday’s Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (3.05pm) would be a big bag of dolly mixtures with all sorts of outcomes possible. Europe’s greatest Flat race has existed for over a century, but seldom has the contest been as laden with uncertainty and the result this year is as predictable as the value of sterling on international currency exchanges.
Much of the intrigue is a by-product of some great horses that won’t run and whose absence ensures a more open and democratic race. The brilliant and still unbeaten American colt Flightline was always going to stay home for the Breeders' Cup Classic, while Desert Crown suffered a season-ending injury after his Derby win.
