Marvel enters Arc picture
Ladbrokes St Leger winner Masked Marvel could be supplemented for Sunday’s Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at tomorrow’s supplementary stage.
A very impressive winner of the world’s oldest Classic on good to firm ground at Doncaster, the John Gosden-trained Montjeu colt has been inserted into the Arc market at 14-1 by Betfred and Paddy Power.
Gosden’s racing secretary Peter Shoemark said: “No official decision will be made until tomorrow because that is when the supplementary stage is.”
Gosden’s original Arc hope Nathaniel, winner of the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, has been a marked drifter on the exchanges all week due to the dry weather forecast in Paris.
He would also have to be supplemented (at a cost of 100,000 euro) if he were to run at Longchamp and was today left in at the latest forfeit stage for the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot on October 15.
Betfred spokesman George Primarolo said: “Masked Marvel would be an extremely interesting runner in the Arc if he’s supplemented, and punters will be acutely aware that John Gosden got it spot-on when shelling out to add Nathaniel to the King George field back in July.”
Five horses were taken out at the latest acceptance stage for the Arc.
Aidan O’Brien removed Regent Street and Wonder Of Wonders, but the Ballydoyle trainer still has four possibles, headed by So You Think, with St Nicholas Abbey, Seville and Treasure Beach his other entries.
As expected, Casamento was scratched by Godolphin while last year’s Leger winner Arctic Cosmos and David Wachman’s Giant Step were others to come out.
The remaining big names, last year’s winner Workforce and ante-post favourite Sarafina, stood their ground.
Also possibilities at the supplementary stage are Andre Fabre’s Meandre and German challenger Danedream.
