Longchamp: No Risk At All could return to the Paris track for the Arc
PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)Gallorini sees No Risk At All in Arc bid after Coupe
Report: France, Monday
Longchamp: La Coupe (Group 3) 1m2f, 4yo+
NO RISK AT ALL (Jean-Paul Gallorini/Ioritz Mendizabal) strode clear of his five rivals to stake a claim for major middle distance honours in the second half of the season.
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The Clive Cox-trained Poet ensured there was plenty of pace under an aggressive ride from Pat Cosgrave.
Halfway up the straight Maxime Guyon looked to have Poet covered aboard Meandre, but the Group 1 winning combination had no answer to No Risk At All, who surged to a three and a half length success under a motionless Mendizabal.
The lightly-raced five-year-old was stepping up in trip after excellent efforts in the Prix du Muguet and most recently when fourth to Golden Lilac over 1m1¼f in the Prix d'Ispahan.
"I had no worry about the extra distance, he's entered in the Arc," said Gallorini, himself much more accustomed to collecting group wins at the jumping temple of Auteuil. He continued: "I'm sure the Classic distance [1m4f] won't be a problem. It's a long way to the end of the year but it's a nice idea, so we'll see."
No Risk At All was only just beaten by Behkabad in the Prix de Guiche at three, before suffering a season-ending injury in the Prix du Jockey Club.
"He spent 18 months in his box, with the situation aggravated by the uncertainty surrounding his ownership following the death of [owner/breeder] Madame Wildenstein. This victory is dedicated to her memory"
Meandre proved at his most effective last season when coming off a fast pace on good ground and, while Poet set the race up for the son of Slickly, he never appeared to be travelling as well as the winner on ground officially described as very soft.
As for Poet, Cox expressed himself satisfied with another game effort after the seven-year-old stayed on for fourth.
"His style of racing is such that he does lend himself to being picked up like that but he's run a brave race," said Cox.
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