Godolphin Looms With Arc Runners Adayar, Hurricane Lane

Impassioned cries of 'allez les bleus' are commonplace in Paris and they are likely to be yelled with as much fervor at ParisLongchamp as they would be when the French national teams play, because this year Godolphin mean business in the Oct. 3 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1).

In Cazoo Derby (G1) winner Adayar  and dual classic star Hurricane Lane , Godolphin make their strongest assault on Europe's biggest race for nearly two decades in a bid to add a crowning achievement to a season that has heralded a return of the operation to superpower status.

Trainer Charlie Appleby, who supplies both Godolphin runners, has spearheaded the rise of Sheikh Mohammed's behemoth back to the top of the world, delivering 11 group/grade 1 wins this year before the start of the weekend, and standing within touching distance himself of claiming a maiden British trainers' title and a first for a Godolphin trainer since 2004.

Leading the charge in the world's biggest races is where those associated with Godolphin feel it should be, with the back-to-back victories for Sakhee, bred and initially raced by the late Hamdan Al Maktoum, and Marienbard in 2001-02 ready to be added to on Sunday afternoon.

Adayar, who has been vying with Tarnawa  for favoritism all week, is the chosen one for Appleby's first-choice rider William Buick, but he will need to overcome a less than helpful draw in stall 11.

Yet, the prospect of soft ground and a wide draw for Adayar have not created any concern for Appleby, as his 3-year-old seeks to emulate the likes of Sea The Stars , Workforce , and Golden Horn  in winning the Arc in the same year as the Derby.

"Adayar showed as a 2-year-old he likes soft ground," Appleby said. "In the King George he showed his class, as the ground was plenty quick enough that day. We are certainly happier being on soft rather than quick ground going into an Arc. With his draw, it will come down to what the pace is on the day.

"Adayar has not missed a beat since the minor setback (before Arc trials day) and I couldn't be happier with his wellbeing."

With Buick riding Adayar, James Doyle takes the mount on Hurricane Lane as the rider seeks to go one better than when an agonizing second on Sea of Class  in the 2018 Arc behind Enable .

"It can't have been an easy decision for Will, there's not too much between the two," Doyle said. "He's proven on soft ground and the trip's fine, back to a mile and a half should be perfect. He's won the Grand Prix de Paris (G1) round there, so he's had a good look at the place before."

Appleby is in agreement with Doyle about softer ground benefiting Hurricane Lane, with his stamina proven after winning the Cazoo St. Leger (G1) last month, though no Leger winner has gone on to Arc glory in the same season.

"We know the soft ground is going to suit Hurricane Lane," Appleby said. "But as a bonus, we know if it becomes a stamina-sapping Arc, he has already proven he has stamina in abundance.

"It's a double positive for him and I'm very pleased the way he has come out of the St Leger. He's had a busy season, so it has been a simple prep to have him ready for the Arc."

He added: "William and James know the horses well. They know their strengths. When the gates open, they will know where they should be placing their horses."

Tarnawa Weld's Biggest Chance for Arc Score

He has won 26 European classics, conquered the Melbourne Cup (G1) twice, the Hong Kong Mile (G1), the Secretariat (G1T), and Belmont Stakes (G1), but the Arc still eludes one of the greatest trainers Ireland has ever produced. Could Tarnawa be the one to crown the stellar 49-year training career of Dermot Weld?

This is unquestionably his best ever chance of landing Europe's biggest prize.

Tarnawa is vying for favoritism with Adayar and few could argue with her position at the top of the market. This has been the ultimate aim for the 5-year-old daughter of Shamardal , who was purposely held back for an autumn campaign.

Last year's Prix de l'Opera Longines (G1) winner has since proven herself to be every bit as good as the boys on the biggest stages of all.

A stunning late surge saw her land the 2020 Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) at Keeneland in November. It was not any old Breeders' Cup Turf either, it was one that contained the seven-time group 1 winner Magical  as well as Lord North  and Mogul . She came widest of all, late and fast, and won a shade snugly at the line under Colin Keane.

The Arc is a "Win and You're In" race for the Breeders' Cup Turf, which will be held this year Nov. 6 at Del Mar.

Her first start at 5 was as straightforward as her starting price suggested when she won the Grant Thornton Ballyroan Stakes (G3) at Leopardstown by 6 1/2 lengths.

We presumed she would defend her Qatar Prix Vermeille (G1) crown after that but Weld thought otherwise. Tarnawa was back over a mile and two furlongs for the Irish Champion Stakes (G1), a bold move by a trainer who is never afraid to shirk a challenge. She was beaten but, if anything, in getting within three quarters of a length of the recently retired St Mark's Basilica  she enhanced her reputation.

Over a trip short of her best, on ground that was faster than she would like, she was just denied having been carried across the track by the wayward winner.

This is her date with destiny.

Weld said of Tarnawa: "She's a tough, very genuine, and consistent filly and her preparation has gone very well. She takes her training well and it's been straightforward since Leopardstown. We've just kept her ticking over. She's a fit filly.

"It's an above-average Arc and I'm well aware of the strength of the 3-year-olds as well as the Japanese filly (Chrono Genesis ) who will be as tough to beat as any."

What would it mean to Weld to win Europe's most prestigious prize? "It would be absolutely wonderful for everybody involved with the horse," he replied.

Harzand , the horse who Weld said gave him his greatest day in racing when landing the 2016 Derby under Pat Smullen, was the legendary trainer's last Arc runner. He finished ninth of 16 behind Found  in 2016.

Given she won the Prix de l'Opera on what was officially heavy ground at this fixture last year and has a pair of group 3 wins on yielding to soft ground, the forecast rain shouldn't inconvenience Tarnawa, who seems able to adapt to whatever underfoot conditions greet her.

Christophe Soumillon, the Aga Khan's retained rider in France, takes over from Colin Keane who has been on board for her last three starts.

Soumillon has a 100% record on Tarnawa, having been on board for both her French wins last autumn in the Prix Vermeille and Prix de l'Opera.

Field Carries Depth of International Talent

This year's Darley Yorkshire Oaks (G1) winner Snowfall , runner-up in the Vermeille last month, joins with the battle-hardened Broome  to form a two-pronged Ballydoyle attack for Aidan O'Brien. The latter comes off a short head loss in the Tattersalls Gold Cup (G1) at the Curragh. O'Brien was also set to saddle 2020 Investec Oaks (G1) winner Love , but the filly was withdrawn Saturday evening due to a temperature.

MACRAE: Frankie Dettori Without Arc Mount as Temperature Forces O'Brien to Withdraw Love

Also of interest is Chrono Genesis, a four-time grade 1 winner in Japan who seeks the first Arc win for her home country. She must overcome a 98-day absence—no Arc winner in the last 55 years has won off such a prep—but her connections have deliberately chosen not to run in a trial, while Oisin Murphy was delighted with how she felt in an easy piece of work on Wednesday.

Saito said: "She hasn't run since June but that doesn't concern me. In Japan she only runs once every two months so this is largely what she's used to. She needs time to recuperate between races and she's really well at the moment.

"Nor am I too worried about the ground. She will give her best whatever the conditions. I am very honored that in France, Chrono Genesis is considered to be one of the favorites.

"But my job is simply to get the mare to the start at 100%. If we win I will be very happy. I think she is capable of winning but in these kinds of races you need some luck."

Deep Bond  has undergone a more conventional preparation, arriving in Chantilly in late August and then turning away the persistent attentions of Broome for an all-the-way win in the Qatar Prix Foy (G2) three weeks ago. 

Raabihah Heads French Resistance

It has been obvious since midsummer that the French challenge for the 100th running of Europe's biggest race would be down on numbers.

The sidelining of Prix Ganay (G1) winner Mare Australis , the injury induced retirement of In Swoop , and the sale to Australia of Gold Trip  almost guaranteed there would be a major hole in the senior ranks.

Raabihah  flies the flag for the older generation and in many ways boasts a similar profile to her former stablemate Sottsass , winner of this race 12 months ago.

She too looks to build on an encouraging effort when fifth as a 3-year-old, and her trainer Jean-Claude Rouget has seen extremely positive signs that she is running into form at just the right time.

"Last week she worked really well with (Emirates Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, G1, winner) Coeursamba ," said Rouget. "She isn't among the favorites, but she could end up beating the favorites because she is very fresh and well, whereas there will be horses in this field who will have had a very tiring season.

"More rain won't bother her as she ran well on very deep ground in last year's Arc. She was a bit far back, but was finishing fastest of all."

Raabihah has yet to win at group 1 level and the question remains whether she has the same innate class as Sottsass, although Rouget's comments could not be more encouraging. The fact that Raabihah is the shortest price of the four French-trained runners (best price 28-1) tells its own story.

Sealiway  (40-1) leads the trio of 3-year-olds who join Raabihah's attempt to keep the prize on French soil. Two other sophomore colts punched their ticket when finishing first and second in last month's Qatar Prix Niel (G2). Baby Rider  (200-1) hit the front with a fair turn of foot in the Niel before being gradually reeled in by Bubble Gift .