Warm up for the `Arc` meeting

Saint-Cloud, Friday, 30 September: The Hippodrome in Saint-Cloud is getting in the mood today for the upcoming `Arc` meeting in Longchamp.

The inaugural Prix Thomas Byron (1st race/13.20/80.000 Euro/1600 m) is aimed at two-year-old horses. Continuous (Ryan Moore), trained by Aidan O`Brien, won in strong style at the Curragh and further success is inevitable. Make Me King (Mickael Barzalona) will get plenty of confidence as a track winner. Times Boulevard (Maxime Guyon) impressed at La Teste-de-Buch is in waiting along with England success Captain Wierzba (Rossa Ryan) and Knockhill (John Egan). Syros (Christophe Soumillon) and Behind The Scenes (Cristian Demuro) are also in good form and should not be underestimated.

The programme includes three Listed races, some of which will be contested by German riders. In the Prix Scaramouche (6th race/16.00 h/52,000 Euro/2800 m) Michael Figge will saddle Jacksun (Martin Seidl), who is performing at high odds here, and Gambia Star (Hugo Besnier), who recently finished a good second in Baden-Baden. Among the favourites are Fenelon (Christophe Soumillon), who came third in the Grand Prix de Deauville (Group 2), and Mr de Pourceaugnac (Mickael Barzalona).

The Prix Dahlia (8th race/17.10/48,000 Euro/2000 m) is the destination of Peter Schiergen`s Techno Music (B. Murzabayev). The four-year-old currently finished fourth in the Dortmunder Stutenpreis (Listed race). Irska (Mickael Barzalona) is the only contender with fresh winning form and is seen by the trade press ahead of Be My Side (Maxime Guyon), who finished second in the List here a fortnight ago. Timeless Soul (Christophe Soumillon) travels from England with good form.