Sir Michael Stoute last won this in 2001 with Golan and runs Midterm today. The latter has been rested since returning a losing favourite in the Dante at York in May but today’s ground will suit and he should go well. But he’s up against the Japanese Derby winner MAKAHIKI in this, currently 8/1 for the Arc and expected to start a short price today. Andre Fabre won this last year with subsequent Arc third New Bay and the progressive Doha Dream is preferred to Darabad and Carzoff of the home challengers.
Midterm 5-4fav (9-0) Dwelt, held up in last pair, headway on wide outside under pressure 2f out, never reached leaders and run flattened out inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 7 3/4l behind Wings of Desire (9-0) at York 1m 2f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in May.
Darabad (FR) (8-13) won at Clairefontaine 1m 4f lst stks gf in Aug beating Tamelly (8-13) by nk, 9 ran.
Doha Dream (FR) (9-2) won at Vichy 1m 4f lst stks gd in Jul beating Kidmenever (8-11) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Carzoff (FR) (8-13) 4th of 9, 1 1/4l behind Qatari Gold (8-13) at Deauville 1m 2f stks gs in Aug.
Makahiki (JPN) (8-13) won at Tokyo 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) fm in May beating Satono Diamond (8-13) by ns, 18 ran.
