Luxembourg, Alpinista and Adayar stand ground as first forfeits made for Arc

Luxembourg, Alpinista and Adayar are among 27 remaining entries for Sunday’s Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (3.05) after the first forfeit stage on Monday.

More than 50 horses were taken out of Europe’s richest race, including Pyledriver, Hurricane Lane, Bay Bridge and Nashwa.

Last year’s winner Torquator Tasso remains in contention along with Prix du Jockey Club and Coral-Eclipse winner Vadeni and Titleholder, who bids to seal a long-awaited first Arc success for Japan.

Irish Derby hero Westover remains on track for the €5 million race, which will be televised on ITV and Sky Sports Racing, with other British entries including the John and Thady Gosden-trained Mishriff and Mostahdaf, the William Haggas-trained Alenquer and West Wind Blows for Simon and Ed Crisford.

Luxembourg, who heads the betting at a general 4-1, could be joined by Ballydoyle stablemate Broome, while Jim Bolger could be represented with Mac Swiney and the Ger Lyons-trained Thunder Kiss is another to stand her ground.

Alpinista: proving popular with Coral puntersCredit: Edward Whitaker

Alpinista, trained by Sir Mark Prescott, has proved popular with Coral over the past day and been cut to 11-2 (from 7) following the forfeit stage.

Coral's John Hill said: "All the support in the last 24 hours in our Arc betting has been for Alpinista. If the interest in the mare continues over the next few days, she could be challenging Luxembourg for favouritism come Sunday.

“We have also seen support behind Coral-Eclipse winner Vadeni. He is now third best in the betting behind Luxembourg and Alpinista."

There is a second forfeit stage on Tuesday morning, with supplementaries and probable runners to be outlined on Wednesday morning. Melbourne Cup heroine Verry Elleegant is expected to be added to the race at a cost of €120,000.

Arc remaining entries

Mac Swiney
Mishriff
Torquator Tasso
Mare Australis
Adayar
Sealiway
Alenquer
Deep Bond
Broome
Stay Foolish
Mostahdaf
Mendocino
Titleholder
Bubble Gift
Grand Glory
Thunder Kiss
Alpinista
Vadeni
West Wind Blows
Al Hakeem
Onesto
True Testament
Westover
Do Deuce
Le Destrier
Luxembourg
La Parisienne

Sunday: Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Longchamp

Coral: 4 Luxembourg, 11-2 Alpinista, 7 Adayar, Vadeni, 9 Titleholder, Torquator Tasso, 12 Onesto, 14 Westover, 20 bar

Read more . . .

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