Fabre Plans To Be Brave With Top Man

A highly-unorthodox Prix de l´Arc de Triomphe preparation is on the agenda for Manduro, with Andre Fabre considering dropping the Prince Of Wales´s Stakes winner back to a mile following his Royal Ascot victory.

The ultra-consistent colt has only been out of the frame once in 16 starts and added to his tally in exemplary fashion under Stephane Pasquier.

Christophe Soumillon was aboard last year when the five-year-old filled the third spot behind Ouija Board, but he had to sit and watch as his former partner soared home.

Pasquier settled the 15-8 favourite in third for much of the 10-furlong race and asked him to settle matters with a potent turn of foot two furlongs out.

His market rival Dylan Thomas, ridden by Soumillon, tried to go with him but Aidan O´Brien´s representative could not live with the Gallic challenger and finished a length and a quarter adrift in second.

Fabre, celebrating his sixth success at the Royal meeting, said: 'He was an aesthetic pleasure to watch and I didn´t see a battle ? there was just one horse.

'He got boxed in here last year and is a horse who needs space, so it was an interesting lesson.

'He hasn´t really improved but we have got to know him better since last year. He needs a lot of space and to see daylight; then it is just a case of pressing the button.

'We were frustrated last year as he could have won two Group Ones, but we didn´t know how to ride him. It has only taken me a year and a half to work out how to train him!

'He´s a top-class miler and pace is not a problem for him. I was a little worried with the distance last year but I´m convinced he´ll get a mile and a half.

'He´s entered in the King George and the Arc is the obvious target. I don´t think I will test his stamina before the Arc though, and one of the plans is to go for the Prix Jacques le Marois and then the Arc, followed by the Breeders´ Cup Classic on the dirt. It´s some plan but why not?' '

Totesport were most impressed with Manduro and offer 6-1 about a Longchamp victory, with VC Bet 8-1, William Hill and Boylesports 10s and Coral a stand-out 12-1.

Arc-winning rider Pasquier said: 'I had to be careful in the first part of the race as he can pull, but the pace was strong enough to allow him to settle.

'I pulled him out to go past Dylan Thomas two furlongs out and he gave a great kick.

'This is my first ride here, and my first winner so I am very happy!'

O´Brien offered no excuses for Dylan Thomas, and said: 'We are delighted ? he´s run really well.

'We´ve no excuses with the ground as it was right for him. There´s nothing planned at the moment.'

Sir Michael Stoute also felt third-placed Notnowcato ? who was a further four lengths adrift ? lost nothing in defeat.

He said: 'He´s run a great race but we could´ve done with a little more juice in the ground.'

(C) PA Sport