Frankie Dettori’s comeback from a high-profile drugs ban could get the perfect Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe denouement in 20 days time and although the Japanese star Orfevre emulated the Dettori-ridden Treve with an impressive “trial” win at Longchamp yesterday, it also looks significant that Aidan O’Brien is gathering his troops for the culmination of the European racing season.
O’Brien’s Epsom Derby hero Ruler Of The World just failed to another Japanese Arc contender, Kizuma, in the Prix Niel but got far from a clear run and emerged with his reputation enhanced to the extent he is as low as 6-1 in some revised ante-post Arc betting lists.
O’Brien hasn’t ruled out supplementing Saturday’s Doncaster Leger winner into the Arc at a cost of €100,000 and Ireland’s champion trainer worked his 2012 Derby victor Camelot after racing at the Curragh yesterday with a view to another possible crack at the Longchamp showpiece.
“Ruler Of The World ran really well and Ryan (Moore) actually thought he’d got the photo,” O’Brien said. “Leading Light is very well. Obviously he’d have to be supplemented for the Arc, but there’s a definite chance he will be.”
Dettori rode Camelot in the 2012 Arc and shortly afterwards the Italian rider tested positive for cocaine, picking up a six-month ban that saw him return to action in May.
Group 1 success
A few weeks later, he signed a retainer with Qatari owner, Sheikh Johann Al Thani, a link-up that paid off with Dettori's first Group 1 success in over a year when Treve landed yesterday's Prix Veremille.
“It’s brilliant. She’s the first decent horse I’ve ridden for a while,” said Dettori.
Treve will also need to be supplemented into the Arc and her rider added: “That will be a different type of race so I just hope I’m drawn on the fence so I can get some cover.”
Orfevre threw away last year's Arc with a dramatic jink on to the fence in the closing stages but there was no repeat of such antics as he eased to a hugely impressive Prix Foy win under Christophe Soumillon that sees him share 4-1 favouritism with Treve in some betting lists.
Tyrone has had a mixed press in the Kingdom in recent years but the Andy Oliver- trained All Set To Go can prove a popular visitor in today’s €30,000 feature at Listowel.
Even the subsequent Irish Derby hero Treasure Beach found the one-mile Premier Nursery beyond him in 2010 and it looks a hugely competitive heat again this time, with the 10-length Galway winner Hidden Oasis topping the weights and Coolmore targeting the race too with Mekong River and Ruler Of France.
Oliver, however makes the long journey from his Tyrone yard with All Set To Go who sluiced up a well-backed five length winner of his maiden at Roscommon and in the process gave the impression a step up to a mile will be ideal for him.
No Cash Flow a looks a major contender in today's bumper while it looks significant Harry Kelly is giving the highly rated Railway Zira her jumping debut in a conditions hurdle where Willie Mullins's Chiltern Hills can already boast nine starts over flights.
