Racing:There were three withdrawals at the latest forfeit stage for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday. They were Gerard Butler's Tinaar, the Pascal Bary-trained Dariole and Marsh Side, trained in America by Neil Drysdale.
The going at the Paris track was on Wednesday described as soft, with more forecast for the weekend.
“We have had a little shower today and also some sun but it is not great for the weekend with rain,” said Longchamp clerk of the course Christian Delporte. “The ground is soft and with the rain on Saturday it’s probably very soft. The condition of the track is not good. I think it is soft, but it will be OK.”
French trainer Thierry Doumen has booked two-times Arc-winning jockey Kieren Fallon for Timos, who was third to Duncan in the Prix Foy in his prep race. Timos is owned by the Marquesa de Moratalla, who was pleased at hearing the news.
“That’s good. He rode a few for her when he was with the late Jimmy Fitzgerald. That was a long time ago,” he said. “It will be my 65th Arc and I’ll be driving there again.
“I did have a strong fancy for the Arc this year, Sarafina, but I have a strong concern about the weather. She doesn’t want heavy ground. I see Christophe Lemaire has chosen Behkabad, but it is no disadvantage having Gerald Mosse on board. He’s a very good jockey.”
Derby winner Workforce’s participation still hangs in the balance, with a decision on his trip to Paris scheduled to be made on Thursday. The Michael Stoute-trained colt flopped in the King George at Ascot on his only run since his Epsom heroics, although he been the subject of positive bulletins in his recent work.