Daryz Back in the Arc Picture Despite Weekend Defeat

[Wandering Eyes]

Daryz is said to be a likely runner in next month's G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp, having bounced back to form with a narrow defeat in Sunday's G3 Prix du Prince d'Orange at the same course.

Trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, the son of Sea The Stars gained his fourth success from as many starts when winning June's G2 Prix Eugene Adam at Saint-Cloud, before forfeiting his unbeaten record with a no-show in the G1 Juddmonte International at York.

With connections at a loss to explain that below-par display, Daryz was given another opportunity to show what he can do at the weekend and his short-head defeat to Japanese raider Croix Du Nord (Kitasan Black) was certainly a big step back in the right direction.

“We wanted to see him run again as things didn't go right at York and we didn't know what to think of it afterwards,” said Nemone Routh, racing manager for Daryz's owner-breeder, the Aga Khan Studs.

“We were very happy on Sunday. He had an outside draw, so we were keen for him to find cover as he was a bit keen early on at York, but he settled well. He seemed to handle the really soft ground well, which was pleasing to see.

“He quickened up really well and was probably a bit unlucky as he just had to come round the Japanese horse who was hanging a bit. Their jockey got a few days for overuse of the whip as well. So, really Daryz only had a furlong where he was in the clear. He really picked up and just failed to get there, so we were very happy with the run.”

Daryz is available to back at around 20/1 for the Arc and Routh confirmed that it's likely to be all systems go for a tilt at Europe's premier middle-distance prize.

She added, “We'll see how he comes out of the race but, if he takes it well, then I think we'll probably take our chance in the Arc. We'd hope the ground wouldn't be any softer than the other day as, while it was very soft, it wasn't extreme.

“He's only ever run over 10 furlongs but, apart from the race at York, he's always finished his races off well and everything in his pedigree would say he'll get the trip [a mile and a half]. The only reason he hasn't run over it before is he has been keen in his races. I don't think it will be a problem.

“He's a lovely horse and he's still learning really. He was a very backward two-year-old and has done a lot in a short space of time. He's always been a horse we thought would be better at four.”

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