Triomphe de la réalité

Triomphe de la réalité

To paraphrase Ms Thunberg; – ‘loose talk costs lives’.

Therefore, a collective display of intent, seems long overdue.

Leave that automobile at home, and instead, trust public transport to deliver family & friends to their destination of choice.

Should Longchamp Racecourse, Paris, happen upon your radar, the science suggests that Sunday 3 October looks particularly appealing.

It’s then that Europe’s most prestigious horse-race celebrates its centenary.

The ‘Arc’, is open to Group 1 race-horses three-years-old and upwards, and is recognised as the richest (turf) flat-race in the world. Run over a distance of a mile and-a-half; this years winning connections will pocket a staggering 5 million euros.

First contested in 1920, the aptly-named Comrade (F. Bullock), provided much-needed healing properties, to a world in turmoil.

More-so perhaps than in recent times, the centenary renewal presents as a proper ‘head-scratcher’. Indeed a strong case can be made for half-a-dozen of the declared runners.

As things stand; Tarnawa (trained by the legendary Dermot Weld), vies for favouritism with joint Epsom Derby/King George winner – Adayer.

The astute Irishman is attempting to record his first Arc success, and has optimised his chances by giving a leg-up to two-time-winner Christophe Soumillon.

Ante-post favourite – Snowfall (the mount of Ryan Moore), has drifted in the market following an unexpected reversal last-time-out. The Oaks-winning filly represents the prolific Aiden O’Brien yard. O’Brien suffered an unexpected setback when lively outsider – Love, was forced to withdraw, leaving Frankie Dettori (the Arc’s winning-most Jockey), without a mount.

Champion-Jockey Oisin Murphy’s mount Chrono Genesis (trading at 12/1), is also attracting interest.

Personal preference lies with the Charlie-Appleby-trained Hurricane Lane. Third at Epsom, the three-year-old chestnut made amends by ‘reeling-in’ Lone Eagle in the Irish equivalent, prior to capturing the Doncaster St Leger with consummate ease.

James Doyle takes over the reins from William Buick, who has opted for the aforementioned Adayer. And while historians point-out that not even the great Nijinsky & Lester Piggott (1970) could achieve the elusive St Leger/Arc double, what better occasion than 100 – up, to do so.

More pertinently re: Ms Thunberg, I commend her bold front-running no-nonsense rhetoric, its high-time we confined the gambling to the racetrack.

We hope you enjoyed the article ‘Triomphe de la réalité.’ Who are you backing for in this years Prix de L’arc de Triomphe? Let us know!

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