Cumani Arc hope withdrawn
Alkaased has been ruled out of Sunday’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp after an 11th-hour setback.
Luca Cumani’s five-year-old, winner of the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and runner-up in the Prix Foy last time, has an infected cut on his leg.
Although it is not a serious problem, Cumani will not have Alkaased back to full health in time for the French showpiece.
“He has an a little cut on his leg and despite all the preventative measures, it has become infected,” said the Bedford House handler.
“The horse was sore when he pulled out this morning and with the rules on medication you can use, we can’t get it right by Sunday so we have just had to grit our teeth.
“It is only a small problem but unfortunately we have had to take him out. I’m very disappointed for the owners, maybe I will get another chance, but I’m very disappointed for them.”
Cumani is expecting Alkaased to make a swift recovery and is already considering the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Belmont on October 29 as a possible target.
“There are plenty of options for him and the next could be the Breeders’ Cup or the Champion Stakes,” added Cumani.
Alkaased, who had been a 14-1 chance for the Arc, was the only withdrawal from the mile-and-a-half feature at the final declaration stage.
The Andre Fabre-trained Hurricane Run and top filly Shawanda head a field of 15 runners for the race.
With Alkaased now an absentee, Derby winner Motivator leads a five-strong British challenge along with Godolphin’s Cherry Mix, runner-up in the Arc last year.
Marcus Tregoning’s Mubtaker, who finished second to Dalakhani in 2003, the Clive Brittain-trained Warrsan and David Elsworth’s Norse Dancer complete the raiding party.
As well as the top two in the market, the leading French-trained hopes includes last year’s winner Bago, Prix Foy winner Pride and Ascot Gold Cup hero Westerner.
Shawanda will have the benefit of a pacemaker in Windya while Fabre has a second string to his bow in ex-German horse and Prix Foy third Shirocco.
Samando and Voltmeter complete the home contingent while Aidan O’Brien will be represented by St Leger winner Scorpion as he seeks a first Arc win.
