Thursday's racing round-up includes the news of the final declarations for Sunday's showpiece Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Sixteen horses will go to post for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe after the Aidan O'Brien-trained Auguste Rodin and Luxembourg were removed at the declaration stage. The market is struggling to split the two home contenders Look De Vega , who has been subject to strong support after a pleasing workout, and Sosie, while Aidan O'Brien will rely on Irish Derby hero Los Angeles and last year's fifth Continuous in his bid to land a third Arc. Al Riffa, Shin Emperor, Bluestocking, and Delius all look set to line up on Sunday.
Inspiral will be ridden by Rab Havlin for the first time since steering her success on debut at Newmarket back in July 2021 when she sets out on her potential swansong in the Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday. Last year's will be joined by stablemate Nashwa and recent Atalanta Stakes winner Tamfana after five horses were declared for the top-level mile prize on Thursday.
Connections of the Ollie Sangster-trained two-year-old Simmering have stumped up the €28,800 fee to add her to the Prix Marcel Boussac line-up at Longchamp on Sunday. She is set to renew Moyglare rivalry with Aidan O'Brien's Bedtime Story and will be ridden by Dylan Browne Mcmonagle, who was replaced on Joseph O'Brien's live Arc contender Al Riffa due to Japanese ownership interests.
All roads appear to lead to the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup for Tom Clover's Al Nayyir following his destructive display in the Jockey Club Rose Bowl Stakes. He readily went one spot better than when narrowly denied by Vauban in the Lonsdale Cup at York and now finds himself a general 7/1 chance for the end-of-season Ascot staying contest.
Last year's Bahrain International Trophy hero Spirit Dancer will begin the preparations to defend his crown in the Space Blues Darley Stakes at Newmarket next weekend. Co-owned by former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, Spirit Dancer also landed the Neom Turf Cup in Saudi Arabia last season.
