It would be really nice to have a cracking, high number of entries King George. It ought to attract a tonne of big names. Nice entries, but as we know a lot always seem to back out.
As soon as a few bookmakers price up the race its CdA and Danedream for me. Trainers have already stated their intentions that their horses will run!
This is a race that is suffering a sharp decline from its pomp of a decade or so ago. In the past it was the natural meeting point between the top older horses and the cream of the 3YO crop but those days seem long gone, I’m afraid. Britain’s premier all-aged middle distance heat needs a substantial, and I do mean substantial, input of loot if it is to compete on the international stage once again.
Id imagine last years winner Nathaniel will definitely run aswell, along with 1 from Coolmoore. I don't see it being Camelot, I think they will look for easier targets, as they won't want to risk his unbeaten record against atleast 3 very good older horses. I fancy it will be St Nicholas Abbey
Must admit to have placed a small e/w wager on Nathaniel at 33/1 in the Arc; might as well get fired in early!!!
I think this could be a cracking race: St Nicholas Abbey, Cirrus Des Aigles, Danedream and Nathaniel are four very good horses. When people say that is a poor field I struggle to think what would be classified as a good one. It seems to be fashionable to say everything is a poor race which I find rather depressing. We have been luck y to have the likes of Sea The Stars and Frankel, plus maybe Camelot but these horses can't run in every race and they can't run against each other all the time. People will no doubt criticise Coolmore for not running Camelot in this, then have a go at them for not running in the Eclipse, not running in the Juddmonte etc. Just enjoy what they are doing because we are blessed with some terrific horses at the moment.
I know what you mean Zen. I think just seeing a real full field would help. You know, trainers really having a go and making a Group 1 a real genuine Group 1, rather than a tactical 5 runner affair or something.
I expect that the Ballydoyle representative will be St Nicholas Abbey. St Nicholas Abbey went into the Coronation Cup at least seven pounds superior to the opposition. In the race itself he was followed home – at a respectful distance – by two ordinary plodders, one of whom was the only other Group 1 winner in the field. That was a very ordinary Group 1, as the bookmakers odds suggested, and St Nicholas Abbey could not be faulted for dismissing his lacklustre rivals on a track that does not suit him. In a properly contested Group 1 race he may not find life so easy. I see no prospect of Camelot being at Ascot as it will be considered too close to the Irish Derby and the plan for him would surely only feature the older horses if he goes for the Irish Champion Stakes as a prep for the St Leger. I cannot say that I would want to back Cirrus Des Aigles as he is a ten furlong horse. Danedream could be a very interesting contender and her owners may as well take on the best with their Arc winner on their way back to Paris for October 7th. Although we have yet to see John Gosden’s charge this season, Nathaniel could very well be the one for back-to-back victories. When he collected last season as a three-year-old, he was the first of his generation to collect in a number of years because the Eclipse has frequently attracted the top three-year-olds at its expense. If the Arc winner and last year’s winner show up on July 21st there is every prospect of a terrific race, although there may only be six or seven going to post like last year.
I really hope the 3 year olds are represented as this was for me the highlight of this particular race, an opportunity to see how the new crop cope against the older generation. The 3 year olds actually get a more than generous weight allowance in this race and really should have little to fear if credible. I do agree St Nicholas Abbey will be the Ballydoyle main contender but would very much like to see Astrology take part to represent the Derby form. I am not quite sure why it's appeal has wained as it should be a race to suit most trainers plans but the Arc has become such the giant of European racing that some french trainers are not willing to have a horse at it's peak in early July. It s actually a problem not limited to this particular race actually as many Group ones are sparse affairs now, when at one time they would have had double figure runners every year. I think one answer is to boost prize money down the field which would encourage horses to run if their was decent money down to 7th place.
If you have prize money lower down you might get more runners but I doubt the quality would improve to be honest.
It is certainly true that we do not seem to attract raiders from France for our top races these days. The obvious reason for staying at home is the wealth that French racing enjoys courtesy of the Pari-Mutuel betting monopoly. Many of their top pattern races are poorly contested as a few good horses scare off the opposition just like over here. Many of their trainers do give their charges a mid-season break when targeting the Arc; hence the Arc Trials meeting in September when the Prix Niel, Prix Foy and Prix Vermeille tend to attract a select field of Arc contenders and frequently throw up meaningless results.
