held up, effort over 2f out, one pace final furlong
in touch, headway over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, not run on when short of room inside final furlong
held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, ridden and edged right inside final furlong, ran on to lead near finish
in touch, ridden and weakened over 1f out
held up, never dangerous
soon prominent, led over 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, headway over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong
soon tracking leaders, driven to challenge over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
soon led, headed over 3f out, rallied to lead again over 2f out, hung left inside final furlong, headed and no extra close home
mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out
A terrific line-up for this Group Three contest and French raider Valixir is given a confident vote ahead of Alkaadhem, Norse Dancer and Fort Dignity. Andre Fabre's four-year-old took on the best in Europe last season and was one of the more fancied contenders for the Arc. He was beaten by the draw at Longchamp and finished well beaten in tenth. His previous victory in the Prix Niel gives him strong claims here and he is the one they all have to beat. Alkaadhem ended last season with victories in listed company and proved his fitness with two great performances in Nad Al Sheba recently. Ground and trip will suit today and he looks the main threat to the selection. Norse Dancer finished runner up to the likes of Azamour and Sulamani last season and can be expected to run his usual game race this afternoon. Fort Dignity could prove best of the Michael Stoute pair and could run well at a decent price, but Valixir can regain the winning thread here before moving back into Group one contests.
Alkaadhem 6-1 In touch outside; 7th straight; ridden & progress 400m out; stayed on same pace, 4th of 14, 4l behind Elvstroem at Nad Al Sheba 1m 1f Grp 1 gf in Mar.
Valixir (IRE) 9-1 Held up, effort 2f out, one pace, 10th of 19, 7l behind Bago at Longchamp 1m 4f Arc de Triomphe gd in Oct.
Norse Dancer (IRE) 12-1 Held up, ridden and headway over 3f out, lost place over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 10l behind Haafhd at Newmarket 1m 2f Grp 1 (A1) sft in Oct.
African Dream 20-1 Held up in rear, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, never dangerous, 8th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Eccentric at Lingfield 1m 2f lst stk (A1) pol in Mar.
African Sahara (USA) 12-1 Held up mid-division, driven along over 2f out, soon weakened, 12th of 13, 7l behind Karaoke at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (D2) pol in Dec.
Big Bad Bob (IRE) 7-2 Made all, took clear lead over 4f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on gamely final furlong, won at Doncaster 1m 2f stk (B1) gf in Sept beating Red Fort by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Fort Dignity (USA) 4-6fav Tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, soon beaten, last of 4, 30l behind Day Flight at York 1m 2f 3yo lst stk (A) gs in May.
Hazyview 9-1 Stalked, inside, tired, 6th of 7, 10l behind Kitten's Joy at Arlington 1m 2f stk gf in Aug.
Hurricane Alan (IRE) 15-8jt-fav Tracked leader, pushed along and switched right over 1f out, ran on final furlong, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Autumn Glory at Doncaster 1m lst stk gd in Mar.
Lord Mayor 6th of 9, 14l behind Mister Monet at Deauville 1m 2f Grp 2 hvy in Aug.
