A hard season, the draw and a breakneck gallop have all been listed as possible reasons why SEA THE STARS won't win the Arc, and it is tempting to look for such reasons given his prohibitive price, but in all honesty we should witness the crowning of a truly magnificent champion on Sunday. He's got speed, gears, stamina, courage and the beating of all of his opponents on various pieces of the top-class form he's produced this season. It seems nothing can beat him and in Mick Kinane he has a wily old pilot who will keep his nerve and thread him through his slower rivals up the Longchamp straight. I could throw a few names about in case the improbable did happen - Conduit is pretty fresh and could relish the contest, Fame And Glory has been aimed at this since his Irish Derby win but can't beat the favourite on all known form and Youmzain loves the course and distance but doesn't win. But it's all about the sensational Sea The Stars and he should treat us to his sixth Group 1 in the last six months in Paris.
Youmzain (IRE) 2-1fav (9-6) 3rd of 6, 1/2l behind Getaway (9-6) at Baden-Baden(GER) 1m 4f Grp 1 sft in Sep.
Conduit (IRE) 13-8fav (9-7) Held up, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on well, driven out and edged right towards finish, won at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Jul beating Tartan Bearer (9-7) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Vision D'etat (FR) 4-5fav (9-2) 2nd of 4, 3/4l behind Spanish Moon (9-2) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 4f Grp 2 gd in Sep.
Magadan (IRE) 9-2 (9-2) 5th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Spanish Moon (9-2) at Saint-Cloud(FR) 1m 4f Grp 1 sft in Jun.
The Bogberry (USA) 7-2 (9-2) 5th of 12, 3l behind Mundybash (8-11) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 2f lst stk gs in Sep.
Steele Tango (USA) 100-1 (9-7) Chased leaders in 4th, pushed along 3f out, weakened 2f out, 5th of 10, 14l behind Sea The Stars (8-10) at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Jul.
Getaway (GER) 3-1 (9-6) won at Baden-Baden(GER) 1m 4f Grp 1 sft in Sep, 6 ran.
Tullamore (USA) (9-0) 7th of 3, 3 1/2l behind Tres Rapide (8-9) at Baden-Baden(GER) 1m 3f Grp 2 gd in May.
Hot Six (BRZ) (9-2) 5th of 18, 11l behind Jeune-Turc (9-4) at Gavea(BRZ) 1m 4f hcp gd in Aug.
Dar Re Mi 11-4 (9-3) last of 12, 16l behind Dar Re Mi (9-3) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 4f fll stks Grp 1 gd in Sep.
Tangaspeed (FR) 40-1 (9-3) 9th of 12, 5l behind Dar Re Mi (9-3) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 4f fll stks Grp 1 gd in Sep.
La Boum (GER) 11-1 (8-13) 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Alpine Rose (8-13) at Deauville(FR) 1m 2f flls Grp 1 stks gd in Aug.
Beheshtam (FR) 10-3 (9-2) 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Cavalryman (9-2) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 4f 3yo Grp 2 gd in Sep.
Set Sail (IRE) 150-1 (9-0) Soon led, disputed after 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, no extra and weakened, last of 9, 47l behind Sea The Stars (9-0) at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 1 stks in Sep.
Fame And Glory 9-4 (9-0) Held up, 7th halfway, headway in 3rd 3f out, ridden to challenge 2f out, soon led, headed over 1f out, no extra and kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Sea The Stars (9-0) at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 1 stks in Sep.
Cavalryman 4-7fav (9-2) won at Longchamp(FR) 1m 4f 3yo Grp 2 gd in Sep beating Beheshtam (9-2) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Grand Ducal (IRE) 100-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 5th 3f out, no impression in 4th under 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 14l behind Sea The Stars (9-0) at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 1 stks in Sep.
Sea The Stars (IRE) 4-6fav (9-0) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, headway in 3rd 2f out, pushed out to lead over 1f out, kept on strongly final furlong, comfortably, won at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 1 stks in Sep beating Fame And Glory (9-0) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Stacelita (FR) 4-5fav (8-8) won at Longchamp(FR) 1m 4f fll stks Grp 1 gd in Sep beating Stacelita (8-8) by hd, 12 ran.
