Japan's Arc hopes dashed again but Byzantine Dream 'proves he's up to this level' after late gamble

Never before had Japanese trainers saddled three trial winners in a Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, but once again their ambition to win the foreign race prized above all others was met with ill fortune, proving the sheer difficulty of landing Europe's greatest contest. 

Both Byzantine Dream and Croix Du Nord were handed brutal assignments from outside stalls during Thursday's draw, although that did not dent late market confidence in the former, whose price crashed from 11-1 at 2.30pm to 11-2 by the off.

Their riders went about the task in diametrically opposite fashion. Oisin Murphy half-missed the kick on Byzantine Dream in order to slide across to the rail and save ground, stealthily making his way up the inside of runners before launching his challenge as the cutaway rail gave way. 

As Minnie Hauk hit the front, Byzantine Dream briefly threatened to launch a major challenge before getting tired in the final furlong to finish an honourable fifth.

Trainer Tomoyasu Sakaguchi said: "Byzantine Dream ran really well. He proved he is up to Group 1 level and that he is good enough to challenge in these top races, even though he's a Group 2 horse at home. We are thrilled with his performance."

Byzantine Dream (left) just runs out of gas in the closing stages to fare best of the Japanese trioCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

While Murphy took his time, Christophe Lemaire attempted to profit from a good draw in stall four aboard Alohi Alii. However, from halfway he struggled to stay with the leaders and went on to finish 16th. 

Drawn widest of all in 17, Yuichi Kitamura made plenty of use early on aboard Croix Du Nord and was one off the rail and leading the race with Hotazhell by the time the field emerged from behind the Petit Bois. 

The Japanese Derby winner was still just about in front as the field straightened for home, but he was only ever able to stay on at the one pace after his early exertions, coming home a well-beaten 14th. 

Reflecting on the race, Kitamura said: "From the start the whole field was just a solid block to my inside and I had no way of getting in. It was very stressful for him, to have a wall of horses beside him.

"Even when we got to the front, he remained extremely stressed. He just never relaxed."

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