'A live each-way player' - three horses who will relish a soft-ground Arc

There is plenty of rain forecast in Paris ahead of a vintage running of the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe this weekend. While the going is currently good to soft, good in places, the 15-20mm of rain expected on Saturday and into Sunday suggests conditions may lead to soft to very soft going, which could benefit the chances of these three contenders.

3.05 Longchamp Sunday: Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe racecard

Hurricane Lane

This impressive-looking chestnut is looking to become the first horse to claim the St Leger and the Arc in the same season and the rain certainly will not hinder his chances.

He started his career on heavy ground at Newmarket and reaffirmed his ability to handle a testing surface when cruising to a six-length win in the Grand Prix de Paris.

Last time at Doncaster the going was officially good to soft and it appears some ease underfoot is ideal for the son of Frankel. If the ground does appear testing he, unlike the other market principals, has proven form that could give him a major advantage.

Hurricane Lane: leading player has shown a liking for soft groundCredit: Edward Whitaker

Alenquer

William Haggas was within touching distance of the Arc with Sea Of Class three years ago and his representative this year may have been overlooked in the market, particularly if the ground is in his favour.

Soft ground would suit him given he boasts a German pedigree and he displayed his class on that surface with victory on ground described as soft on his debut and heavy at Royal Ascot.

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He was put in his place by Hurricane Lane on very soft ground in the Grand Prix de Paris but he fared the best of those from off the pace, while his latest Juddmonte International second to Mishriff is a good piece of form.

Testing or rain-softened ground would be no problem for him and he could be a live each-way player at a big price.

2021 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe: the runners, the odds, the verdict

Sealiway

The Arc meeting was run on heavy ground last year but that was no problem for Sealiway, who powered home to record an eight-length win in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere.

He has not won since that Group 1 success but he reaffirmed his ability on soft ground when a fine second to St Mark's Basilica in the French Derby. That was a high-class effort in June but the fact we have not seen him since is a concern.

He has a fair bit to prove – especially as he has not raced over further than 1m2½f – but a soft-ground Arc would benefit his chances.

Read more on the 2021 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe:

Longchamp dark horses: four runners who could be overpriced on Arc weekend

Who will win the 2021 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe based on previous trends?

'Soft ground doesn't catch her out' – O'Brien relishing conditions for Snowfall

'Sunday is not good' – rain could turn Arc day ground soft at Longchamp

2021 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe: essential info for the big race at Longchamp

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