"The first afternoon of this year's Arc meeting unfolded in bright sunshine on Saturday, but the clods of turf being kicked up in the Group One Prix du Cadran were a sign of the significant rain that had fallen since Friday evening. This changes the shape and narrative of Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Proper soft and it's going to take a lot of getting, was the verdict of Dylan Browne McMonagle after his win on Tennessee Stud in the opening Prix Chaudenay."
"That was echoed by Tom Marquand, the Cadran winner aboard George Scott's Caballo De Mar. It's very soft but not heavy, he said. It would be an injustice to call it heavy because they've done a really good job of having us on the nicest part of the track and tomorrow it will open out again to freshen it up, but it's testing."
Heavy rain since Friday evening softened the Longchamp turf and turned the track proper soft, creating testing conditions for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Jockeys described the going as very soft but not heavy and noted that being kept on the nicer parts of the track had mitigated the worst of the surface. The abrupt change in ground has affected all 17 runners, with Japanese challengers Byzantine Dream, Alohi Alii and Croix Du Nord most exposed due to breeding and experience on firm surfaces. Wide draws and softer ground have lengthened their odds to 14-1 or bigger.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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