Scandinavia takes on Queenstown and Caballo De Mar as Arc weekend gets underway - live on Sky Sports Racing. Superstar stayer Scandinavia is the headline act on Day 1 of the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe meeting. Aidan O'Brien's prolific winner heads a field of 10 for this Prix du Cadran.
He arrives unbeaten in his past eight starts recording a staggering five Group 1 wins in the process and looks hard to oppose as he heads up in distance once again. Stablemate Queenstown, the ride of Wayne Lordan, heads the likely dangers. He returned with an excellent victory in Group 3 company at the Curragh in August before chasing home Scandinavia in the Irish St Leger.
Third in this race last year, he could hit the frame once more. George Scott's defending champion Caballo De Mar cannot be ruled out after bouncing back to form with a comfortable success in the Doncaster Cup, while Double Major is the pick of the bigger prices. Classy pair Sunly and Wardaah headline a field of 11 for this Group 1 Prix de Royallieu.
Francis-Henri Graffard skipped the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in favour of this contest and his charge Sunly will be a short price to land a maiden top-level success under Christophe Soumillon. She could outclass her rivals if staying this extra yardage. Wardaah took the Park Hill Stakes at Doncaster on her last start, beating Consent and Cameo in the process and looks ready for a crack at this better grade.
Consent saw off Santorini Star to land this race last season and, after finishing fourth at Goodwood and third at Doncaster, she seems to be progressing with each outing. Ribblesdale winner Earth Shot is another who makes each-way appeal in a stellar field. A typically competitive edition of the BetMGM Challenge Cup where Thunder Call and Mezcala will be fancied in a field of 18.
The William Haggas-trained Thunder Call handled the step up to seven furlongs when easily disposing of a good field over this course and distance last month and should have more to give despite a tricky draw in stall one. Never miss a story with all the latest racing news, interviews and features on your phone. Find out more Jack Channon saddles Mezcala, who landed the Buckingham Palace Stakes over this trip and track at the Royal meeting and has been dropped 1lb for his latest sixth at Doncaster.
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