When you train some of the best thoroughbreds around, the damaging blow of something going slightly amiss with one of your better inmates is slightly less painful.
WHEN you train some of the best thoroughbreds around, the damaging blow of something going slightly amiss with one of your better inmates is slightly less painful.
Such was the case in France yesterday, when Alain De Royer-Dupre abandoned all hope that he would have Montmartre fit enough to do himself justice in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in early October.
Owned by the Aga Khan, the colt galloped to prominence in the betting for Europe's richest race with an excellent victory in the Grand Prix de Paris.
However, his exertions that day have left a mark and Montmartre picked up an injury, meaning he faced a race against time to be fit for the October 5 showpiece in Paris. "We haven't now really got enough time to prepare him for the Arc de Triomphe," said Royer-Dupre.
However, all is far from lost because the owner-trainer partnership should be represented at Longchamp by the brilliant filly Zarkava, who is unbeaten in five starts. "Zarkava is just fine," said De Royer-Dupre, with a smile.
This filly's display in the Prix Marcel Boussac on Arc day last year bordered on breathtaking, and could well take all the beating.
Elsewhere, trainer Robin Bastiman remains upbeat following Borderlescott's victory in the Nunthorpe Stakes at Newmarket. The six-year-old has been a model of consistency, winning the Stewards' Cup in 2006 and being placed in the last two renewals of the competitive handicap.
However, he took his performance to another level last time out when registering his first Group-race success, and Bastiman is now eyeing a trip to France for his stable star.
"It meant so much to me and a few years ago I wondered if I would ever get a really good horse like this," he said. "He is just a great little horse and he has a heart of gold. We turned him out in a pen for a couple of days after the race and have just brought him back in. He is jumping and kicking, you wouldn't know he'd had a race.
"He always comes right this time of year and the main plan now is the Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp. Whether I run him before then I don't know as there isn't much for him and if he was going to go anywhere it may be for a Listed race at Doncaster. I have no worries about whether he wins next time or not as he is not a colt, so it doesn't make much difference."
Pat Cosgrave, who rode Borderlescott, claimed the gelding had run well beyond his expectations in the Nunthorpe and was delighted to have registered his first Group 1 success. "They probably went a bit too quick in front and my lad nicked a couple of lengths at the start, so I just left him to it," said Cosgrave. "I always thought he was a Group horse."
- Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, 1m 4f, Longchamp, 5 October 7-2 Zarkava, 5 Soldier Of Fortune, 6 New Approach, 10 Frozen Fire, Prospect Wells, Youmzain, 12 Getaway, Vision D'Etat, 16 Admire Jupiter, Meisho Samson, Papal Bull, 20 others
