Christophe Lemaire has opted to ride ante-post favourite Behkabad in Sunday's Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.
French jockey opts for Arc favourite over Sarafina
Christophe Lemaire has opted to ride ante-post favourite Behkabad in Sunday's Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.
The French jockey passed up the chance to mount the Aga Khan's other runner, Sarafina, to be on board the Grand Prix de Paris and Prix Niel winner.
Gerald Mosse will now team up with Sarafina, who took victory in the Prix de Diane in June and finished third in the Prix Vermeille in her last outing.
Lemaire is still searching for his first Arc win and will be hoping that the three-year-old can break his duck in the French showpiece.
"Christophe Lemaire has made up his mind and will ride Behkabad, and Gerald Mosse will be riding Sarafina," said Georges Rimaud, racing manager to owner the Aga Khan.
"I suppose Christophe feels Behkabad has a better chance, but I haven't spoken to him on that specific line.
Progress
"I think he feels the horse is right and is going to progress from his last race, even though he won it.
"Sarafina has come on since her last race. She worked this morning without any great sparkle, as she normally does, but the trainer was pleased with her work and everything is on course with her as well.
"With a big field let's hope there are no traffic problems. Behkabad needs a clear run though and Sarafina has the acceleration that could get her out of trouble in an easier way, but that's racing and the Arc. It's a tough race."
Behkabad may have to deal with less than ideal conditions in the Arc, with Rimaud saying that rainfall may continue into the weekend at Longchamp.
He added: "Conditions are not looking great. We have been getting some rain and apparently we are to get some more this weekend.
"I suspect we have to deal with it. If we get some sunshine it might dry out a little bit, but it's a bit uncertain."
