'An interesting move' - Longchamp watered on Sunday despite wet forecast

Longchamp's decision to water on Sunday has been questioned in the build-up to the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, after substantial rain on Tuesday took the going description to good to soft, soft in places, with further rain forecast throughout the week.

The track added 5mm of water on the false and home straight, the two quickest parts of the track, on Sunday night, but 9mm of rain fell on Tuesday and further precipitation is expected on Wednesday and Thursday before the possibility of stormy weather this weekend.

Longchamp's decision had been described as an "interesting move" by connections of Mishriff, who had been feeling confident on Monday. Ted Voute, racing manager to owner-breeder Prince Faisal, wanted to avoid any extremes of going and is hoping the world-famous track on the outskirts of Paris avoids the worst of the weather.

The €5 million race, which is one of ten Group 1s at Longchamp on Saturday and Sunday, has been run on officially heavy or very soft ground for the last three years.

"It's an interesting move," said Voute when asked about the watering. "When I looked at the weather this morning I was rather hopeful that the rain that was meant to come on Friday would come on Saturday, and if that trend continued we might get lucky and get good ground.

Mishriff: connections are anxious over how much rain may fall in Paris before the Arc on SundayCredit: Edward Whitaker

"It's a shame, but I don't think 5mm will make too much difference in the long run if we get 30mm in the next few days, then it's game over anyhow. We want to avoid that dead, sticky stuff, so we'll see."

With James Doyle out injured, William Buick will ride Mishriff in the Arc following news that 2020 Derby hero Adayar will miss the race in favour of the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot a fortnight later.

It will be the first time Buick has ridden the three-time Group 1 winner, and connections also said that Mishriff's breeding rights had been sold to Anglo-French stud Sumbe.

It has not yet been decided whether the Arc will be Mishriff's final race, but a statement from Sumbe said they were "delighted" with the purchase having lost leading stallion Le Havre earlier this year at the age of 16.

Buick takes the ride despite having only ridden twice domestically for the John and Thady Gosden team this season. He has a successful history with Gosden snr, however, and rode 307 winners when enjoying a successful spell as his stable jockey between 2010 and 2014.

Adayar's withdrawal leaves 6-1 shot Alpinista as the leading British-trained Arc hope and also led to favourite Luxembourg shortening to 7-2 (from 9-2).

In a statement via Twitter, Godolphin said: “Following discussions on Monday, it has been decided that Adayar will miss the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and will instead head to the Champion Stakes where conditions are likely to suit him better.”

Sunday: Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Longchamp

Coral: 10-3 Luxembourg, 9-2 Alpinista, 6 Vadeni, 7 Titleholder, 8 Torquator Tasso, 12 Onesto, Westover, 16 bar

Read more . . .

William Buick in line to ride Mishriff in Arc after Adayar defection

2022 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe: raceday running order and how to watch

2022 Arc: strengths and weaknesses for the top five contenders

Have you tried the new Racing Post app? Its new game-changing odds comparison allows you to check the price and place terms all on one simple screen. Make sure you get the best price on all your bets! The new app is available here.