Arc Weekend Review

Pipedreamer was an easy winner of the Cambridgeshire on Saturday at Newmarket. He was always travelling well and landed a major public gamble on him.
A bit different at Longchamp on Sunday where Authorized was a big disappointment in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. He never seemed completely relaxed travelling in last place and when required to move closer there seemed no petrol left in the tank. Dylan Thomas was just the best horse on the day and was given a superb ride by Keiron Fallon. Dylan Thomas has never lost when ridden by Keiron Fallon. Johnny Murtagh rode him to win the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in July. That day Youmzain was four lengths behind him on ground that suited Dylan Thomas much better. The softer ground at Longchamp brought them closer together and very nearly caused an upset. The race was won when Dylan Thomas changed gear and accelerated away from the field, albeit not in a particularly straight line. He has been very consistent all season. The only time he has been beaten this season was over 10 furlongs at Ascot in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes where Manduro made him look one paced and then again over 10 furlongs at York in the Juddmonte International where Authorized beat him decisively. Perhaps Authorized had a harder race here than he could stand. After all he did not contest the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes after a hard race in the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown. It looks as though both horses are now off to stud. As for Youmzain, he has been runner-up in the two most prestigious one and half mile races for 3yo’s + in the season and will apparantly be kept in training for next season. He is a credit to the Mick Channon team.

For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".