Talking Horses: 100th running of Arc has strong field worthy of occasion

French racing’s greatest showman, Christophe Soumillon, rides the favourite Tarnawa with 14 horses left in the race

The 100th running of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in Paris on Sunday looks certain to have a lineup worthy of the occasion after 14 horses were left in the race at the first forfeit stage on Monday with both of this year’s Epsom Classic winners, Adayar and Snowfall, also due to be added to the field at the supplementary stage on Wednesday.

Following news that Hurricane Lane, the St Leger winner, is expected to take his place in the field thanks to the arrival of some much-needed rain at Longchamp, we can now look forward to at least seven runners with a Timeform rating of 122 or above going to post on Sunday afternoon. That group includes Love, last year’s Oaks winner, who has more Group One wins to her name than anything in the field but is priced up at around 33-1, such is the quality of the opposition.