Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe 2020: runners guide
Persian King
Triple Group 1 winner and 2019 Prix du Jockey Club runner-up. Raced keenly the last twice; will he stay the trip? Big chance for powerful trainer/jockey combination.
Royal Julius
Prolific globetrotter who has been unable to score in 6 starts this year, all below Group 1 level. Very much making up the numbers in this context.
Way To Paris
High-class performer who has held his form very well through the season. Recent run in the Prix Foy should leave him spot on for this; good each-way claims.
Japan
Dual Group 1 winner in 2019 who finished 4th in last year’s Arc. Had excuses on only try at 1m4f this year; small chance but has plenty to prove.
Sovereign
2019 Irish Derby winner who finished 2nd to Enable in this year’s King George. Could be on pacemaking duties as the least-fancied of the Ballydoyle quartet.
Stradivarius
Taking the ‘Ardross’ route into the Arc, having won the Ascot Gold Cup earlier this season. Better horse on fimer going, but a wonderfully consistent stayer who can go well here.
Sottsass
Dual Group 1 winner who finished 3rd in last year’s Arc. This race looks to have been the target; improvement to come now he tackles 1m4f for the first time this year.
Enable
Wonderful 11-time Group 1 winning mare who takes in her 4th consecutive Arc. Agonising runner-up in the race last year; set to peak here and take all the beating.
Deirdre
Fantastic globetrotting mare who has not quite hit the same heights in 3 starts this year. Ground and trip both present major hurdles to jump; best watched.
Gold Trip
Group 2 Prix Greffulhe winner who finished 3rd in the Grand Prix de Paris. Has close form ties with In Swoop; should enjoy conditions but has plenty to find to figure here.
Chachnak
Dual Group 3-winning son of Kingman having his first try at 1m4f. Has far too much to find today and will do well to get home in respectable fashion in these conditions.
In Swoop
German Derby winner who stayed on very well late in the piece in last month’s Grand Prix de Paris. Testing conditions at this trip should be greatly in his favour; is he good enough?
Mogul
3,400,000gns purchase who is decidedly getting his act together, culminating in a decisive victory in last month’s Grand Prix de Paris. Good chance if the conditions are not too taxing.
Serpentine
Epsom Derby winner who finished a respectable 4th in last month’s Grand Prix de Paris. Entitled to step up, and should enjoy the soft going; place claims in spite of his wide draw.
Raabihah
Sole runner in the line-up getting all of the weight allowances, historically a major advantage in this race. Heavy ground is a query however; place chance at best.
Verdict
Andre Fabre has had one Arc runner just 7 times this century, with his record reading 7,4,4,8,3,6,2,1 and sole representative PERSIAN KING must be greatly respected for his master trainer and world-class jockey Pierre-Charles Boudot, despite some queries at the trip. Superstar mare Enable must be in the mix, having barely put a foot wrong all her life. Way To Paris looks to have been a touch dismissed in the early markets, and can reward each-way support with a big run here.
