Estrange given go-ahead for Arc assignment

The prospect of rain in the lead up to the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe has convinced the Estrange team to make the trip to ParisLongchamp with their star filly.

Owned by Cheveley Park Stud and trained by David O’Meara, connections had been waiting to make a late call between Europe’s premier middle-distance contest or the Group One Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot a fortnight later.

However, with the weather possibly turning in the French capital ahead of Sunday’s showpiece, the decision has been made to roll the dice, with her North Yorkshire-based handler excited about the prospect of taking part in such a prestigious contest with his four-time winner, who is proven in soft ground.

“She’s going to take her chance in the Arc,” said O’Meara. “The weather forecast looks favourable and in the last couple of days quite a bit of rain has appeared in the forecast. We’re very much looking forward to it.

“To win an Arc would mean everything. It’s an iconic race and to have a runner in it, and one who hopefully has a competitive chance, is great for us.”

The talented grey has only been seen six times throughout her career, but has always possessed a touch of class and enhanced her reputation with a pair of taking victories at Haydock earlier this season, following up Lester Piggott Fillies’ Stakes success in the Lancashire Oaks in July.

Pitched into Group One company for the first time to face off against dual Oaks heroine Minnie Hauk in the Yorkshire Oaks, Estrange was not disgraced when second in quicker than ideal conditions on the Knavesmire, but was ultimately comfortably beaten by Aidan O’Brien’s leading Arc contender, albeit conceding 9lb on the weight-for-age scale.

However, O’Meara is hopeful of bridging the gap in Paris, with the duo set to lock horns with conditions this time more in the four-year-old’s favour.

“It’s highly likely Minnie Hauk will be supplemented tomorrow and she beat us well at York, but I’m hoping the softer conditions might get us a bit closer,” explained O’Meara.

“Whether we can reverse the form, I don’t know, Minnie Hauk could be an outstanding filly and is a dual Classic winner so we’re under no illusions. But the softening ground I’m hoping will get us nearer or give us a chance of overturning her.”