Daryz primed to defy the weight of history in Paris

The last colt to win the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe twice was trained by Vincent O'Brien and ridden by Lester Piggott, which gives an indication as to the size of the task facing Daryz in Paris.

Alleged in 1977 and 1978, almost 50 years ago, needed the help of two legendary figures but who is to say that a few decades down the line Francis-Henri Graffard and Mickael Barzalona will not be held in similar esteem – they are at least well on the way.

Of course Treve and Enable have won the Arc twice since, Alleged but the generous weight they received as three-year-old fillies first time around made their quest a little easier.

Bar a blip at Ascot in the red-hot heat of June earlier this year, Daryz has looked very good indeed this season, if anything arguably better than last year.

With a favourable draw in stall five, everything looks in line for another huge run.

“He has an amazing turn of foot and is adaptable to any ground,” said Nemone Routh, racing manager for owners the Aga Khan Studs.

“He didn't perform to his full ability at Ascot, but we know the reason why and he still managed to run a decent race even though he was not right that day. We think he is a champion, but he still has Sunday to overcome.

“To be in a position where it is an achievable aim it is well done to Francis and all the team to get to this point. It is a big challenge.

“We know a colt hasn't done it in 50 (48) years and funnily enough it is the fillies that seem to have done it recently. But we are very confident in our horse and we think he has the ability to do it.

“But then we know it is a big test and anything can happen. In his mind he is really well now. He has all the assets to achieve it, but you need a bit of luck as well.”

The famous green and red silks will also be carried by Varandir, a smart colt in his own right and a close fourth to Maltese Cross in the Grand Prix de Paris.

However, connections have a clear pecking order.

Routh added: “Would I be surprised if Varandir beats Daryz? Yes, at the moment, as Daryz is the better horse at the moment, but we felt we should run Varandir because he won his trial well and it made sense to run him. It is a race that suits him and Francis is of the same opinion.

“The Arc is very special and it makes sense to line-up.”

It is 10 years since Aidan O'Brien's second Arc victory with Found and he fields three Classic winners this year. However, he was not dealt the best of hands at the draw when apparent first-string Diamond Necklace was posted widest of all in stall 16.

On the back of that Ryan Moore switched to Irish Derby winner Benvenuto Cellini , berthed in stall one but needing to bounce back after finishing only fifth in the Prix Niel.

O'Brien said: “We had a pacemaker in the Prix Niel, but the field didn't follow the pacemaker (Montreal) so we ended up with a slowly-run trial and obviously he wants an even-run mile and a half. We think that was part of the reason for his run really.

“It is possible he was one of the horses affected with the infection that we had in the yard. It's possible all the horses were affected. It is hard to tell. That weekend and the couple of weeks running up to it they were running well but they weren't winning.

“He is versatile. He is a long-striding, good-moving horse who gets a mile and a half extremely well.”

Minnie Hauk was a narrow second to Daryz 12 months ago but has not hit the same heights this season and looks the third string with William Buick on.

“Minnie Hauk has had a few troubles with corns in her feet and they were niggling her through the season, but we were very happy with her the last day and so far everything is going according to plan,” said O'Brien.

“The Arc weekend was always the plan so she was never going to peak until then.”

As well as the outside stall, Diamond Necklace and Christophe Soumillon also need to overcome stamina doubts as she tackles the trip for the first time on the back of her first ever defeat at Deauville.

“We can't be sure Diamond will get the mile and a half, that type of filly over the years has got it and I know a lot have run in the Vermeille and not the Romanet,” said O'Brien.

“We had one eye on America as well and we didn't want to stretch her.

“We misjudged it a little bit as we didn't think the Deauville race was going to be as strong as it was.”