Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe: Aidan O’Brien hopes Luxembourg gets good ground in Paris amid forecast rain | Racing news
Aidan O’Brien doesn’t want the pitch to be too experimental at ParisLongchamp ahead of Luxembourg’s bid for glory at the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
Having previously successfully showcased with Dylan Thomas in 2007 and Found in 2016, the Ballydoyle processor owns the most beloved ante-post collection for this year’s innovation in this Camelot lipstick.
A Group One winner with a score of two in the Vertem Futurity Trophy in Doncaster, Luxembourg looked at every inch a potential Derby winner in the match as he finished third in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.
But a subsequent injury eventually led to 3-year-old Epsom going missing and he only ran home when he returned in the Royal Whip Stakes at Curragh in August.
O’Brien was adamant, however, that Luxembourg was nowhere near the concert stage, and he found the improvement he needed to help his coach land his 11th Irish Champion Stakes success at Leopardstown.
Three weeks later, he was ranked as the favorites for Europe’s top middle distance competition.
Coach Aidan O’Brien with racer Ryan Moore after winning his 11th Irish Championship with Luxembourg
“He played well and things have gone well since Leopardstown,” said O’Brien. We are happy with his run and things have been very good since then. “We think he’s in a good place and when we run we’ll know. He hasn’t been running long so his job isn’t too difficult, but we’re happy with everything he’s doing. do.
“I don’t think anyone wants to be extreme (on the ground) and we’re all the same. I suppose everyone’s in the same boat, but hopefully it won’t be too bad.
“He won the Futurity Trophy on soft ground and he’s Camelot’s, Montjeu’s people, so hopefully he’ll handle it, but in an ideal world, hopefully it’s not too soft.”
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Sir Mark Prescott admits pressure is on to deliver with Alpinista during Sunday’s Arc, live on Sky Sports Racing.
After missing out on a good chunk of the season, Luxembourg will arrive in relatively fresh Paris and race lightly after just six lifecycle starts.
With a max field of 20 virtually guaranteed, quick burrowing is acceptable, but O’Brien believes his responsibilities have the temperament to handle whatever is thrown at him. that.
“He ran three times last year and ran three times this year, so he’s got six runs, but I think he’s usually a very open and straightforward horse,” he said. more.
“He relaxes very well and I’m happy to walk out the gate.”
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French racing expert Laurent Barbarin completed a massive selection of each stage for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe with a second to watch ahead of next weekend’s big race in Paris, live on Sky Sports Racing on October 2nd.
O’Brien will have a second streak in the game against outsider Broome, who was beaten just under 10 lengths to 11th in last year’s extension.
The six-year-old made an impression when he opened an account for the current campaign in Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, since he finished fourth in the King Georges and First place in the US, before finishing last. together in a total of seven behind Luxembourg at Leopardstown.
O’Brien said: “He ran in the US, which probably didn’t suit him, but we’re very pleased with his final run. We’re using it as a preparation. for this race, we think he’s gone a mile and a half, and enjoys a big, open track.
“We think he may have found the tracks in the US a little tight for him because he can sometimes walk a little slow from the stalls, especially in Saratoga last time.
“Hopefully he can run a good race and there are plenty of races left for him in the US or Japan or Hong Kong for the rest of the season.”
