| Hurricane Run to kick up Arc storm
 By
David Thorpe
After a season devoid of a true superstar in flat racing the Prix De
l’Arc De Triomph ecould crown a champion for the 2006 season when
it is run next week.
The Irish-owned but French-trained Hurricane Run won the Irish derby last
year. The John Magnier-owned colt will be the closest thing to an Irish
contender in the race with Kieran Fallon riding and at this stage he must
be the best bet in the Arc.
Hurricane Run was beaten on his last run by another top class French colt
Shirroco. That horse will likely be favourite on the day of the race and
while he has a fantastic chance Hurricane Run might just be able to reverse
the placings with him on the biggest stage of all.
There is a massive level of hype about the Japanese-trained Deep Impact.
He could be a superstar and will have the experienced Yacuto Take in the
saddle but he has never run in Europe and it would be an extremely brave
punter who would throw his money on a Japanese success at Longchamp.
Outside of those three the competition looks very weak indeed. Sir Percy
may go down as the worst horse to win the Epsom Derby in living memory
and even with another run before the Arc to freshen him up looks a little
way off top class.
Sixties Icon was a hugely impressive winner of the St. Leger but that
was a scandalously poor race for what is supposed to be a Classic and
it wouldn’t be advisable to follow any horse which came out of that
race.
Dylan Thomas has been a model of inconsistency — hugely impressive
in winning the Irish Derby and the Champion Stakes he disappointed in
the Epsom Derby. He is also a three-year-old running against older horses
which won’t help his chances but he is perhaps the outstanding each-way
bet in the race and will be ridden by Michael Kinnane.
Therefore it is advisable to back a Coolmore domination of this famous
race with Hurricane Run the likeliest winner of the race and Dylan Thomas
and Shirrocco likely to fill the minor places in an Arc de Triomphe which
should round off the flat season in some style.
Other horses to follow in the coming weeks include Abide With Me, Chess
Board and Adamant Approach.
Happy punting!
Thursday 2.10pm Fontwell:
TIP: Irish Whispers
Benny Powell’s horse ran a good race on his debut and should follow
up here if he runs. He is nicely in at the weights and won’t be
hampered by lack of experience against these horses
Thursday 3.10pm Fontwell:
TIP: Eu De N’il
Phillip Hobbs has his horses in excellent form at the moment and this
fellow could be capable of running up a few wins. His first run of the
season was very encouraging so one to keep on the right side of.
Thursday 3.40pm Fontwell:
TIP: Fountain Crumble
Paul Nicholls doesn’t send out many runners at this time of
year so this horse is one to note. His form is muddling enough but worth
taking a chance on against a lot of very inconsistent horses.
Friday 3pm Worcester:
TIP: Ri Na Realta
A horse who has been running consistently throughout the summer without
winning he might get off the mark here with a top jockey aboard. Not far
off bet of the week status.
Friday 3.30pm Worcester:
TIP: Il Penesoroso
A horse who has been very good to followers of this column. He will stop
winning soon but should have enough class to capture this poor race. Bet
of the week if he runs.
Friday 2.35pm Ascot:
TIP: Aryaam
This is a difficult race to call but this horse looks to be improving
with every run and might just have enough ability to win here. Trainer
and jockey in top form at present is a bonus.
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