Golden Horn seen here winning the Investec Derby before going on to win the 2015 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Pic: Courtesy of Great British Racing.
Horse Talk with Simon Jackson: Top horse-racing tips and the latest news.
NEW BAY returns to the scene of his greatest triumph to contest the £2,100,735 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Chantilly as refurbishment continues at Longchamp.
The Andre Fabre-trained New Bay won the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly last year, scoring by one a half lengths from Highland Reel who reopposes at Chantilly.
The success was the highlight of a tremendous campaign that included Group 2 victories at Deauville and Longchamp and culminated with a two and a quarter length third to Golden Horn in the 2015 Arc.
The then three-year-old coped admirably with the in-running turbulence of the Arc where last year he raced close to the pace before staying on well at the finish.
The son of Dubawi has run three times this term and boosted his returns to over £1.5million when winning a Group 3 at Deauville at his penultimate start. His most recent effort was when fourth in the Irish Champion Stakes won by Almanzor, who on Wednesday was removed from the Arc in favour of the Champion Stakes at Ascot.
New Bay should appreciate the return to Chantilly, will handle the rough and tumble of the Arc and is taken to secure another notable Group 1 victory at this venue.
The biggest danger may come from fellow Irish raider and dual Derby winner Harzand. The son of Sea The Stars secured a first win in the Investec Derby for trainer Dermot Weld. The success was noteworthy as the colt injured a hoof when travelling to Epsom and was forced to pass a late fitness test before he was permitted to line up in the Derby.
He followed up with a narrow victory in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby in late June and returned in the Qipco Irish Champion Stakes, where he was sent off favourite but was struck into and finished eighth. He is reported to have fully recovered and in good order ahead of Sunday’s one and a half mile contest.
The ultra-consistent Found was second in the Irish Champion Stakes and is taken to fill third place in the Arc.
The best outsider is Highland Reel who has won top class races around the world and has run well at Chantilly.
1st New Bay 2nd Harzand 3rd Found. Best outsider: Highland Reel.
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