SNOWFALL lurks near the head of the Arc betting having landed a hat-trick of Oaks victories during the summer with wins at Epsom, the Curragh and York. Frankie was on board for the first of those convincing successes and Aidan O’Brien’s high-class filly is the one to beat. Stablemate Joan Of Arc landed the French Oaks at Chantilly in June when beating Andre Fabre’s re-opposing duo Philomene and Burgarita with Incarville further behind and she runs over this far for the first time. Roger Varian’s Teona has plenty to find with the likely favourite though returned to winning ways in Listed company last time while the third Ballydoyle runner La Joconde will ensure a decent pace.
Joan Of Arc (IRE) 9-4jfav (8-12) Led, quickened over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, plugged on same pace in 3rd, 3rd of 6, 2l behind Lady Bowthorpe (9-7) at Goodwood 1m 2f Grp 1 fll stks (1) gs in Jul.
Snowfall (JPN) 8-15fav (8-12) Held up towards rear, smooth headway over 3f out, led over 2f out, quickened clear over 1f out, impressive, won at York 1m 4f Grp 1 fll (1) gd in Aug beating Albaflora (9-7) by 4l, 7 ran.
Burgarita (8-11) 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Free Wind (8-11) at Deauville 1m 4f Grp 3 gd in Aug.
Philomene (IRE) (8-12) 5th of 8, 2 1/4l behind Dubai Honour (9-2) at Deauville 1m 2f Grp 2 stks gs in Aug.
Teona (IRE) 3-1jfav (8-6) Restless before start, prominent, ridden to lead 2f out, stayed on strongly, never in any danger, won at Windsor 1m 3f lst stks (1) gf in Aug beating Desert Encounter (9-5) by 3 3/4l, 8 ran.
La Joconde (IRE) 150-1 (8-12) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 6 3/4l behind Snowfall (8-12) at York 1m 4f Grp 1 fll (1) gd in Aug.
Incarville (FR) (8-13) 5th of 10, 1 1/4l behind Rumi (8-13) at Deauville 1m 2f Grp 2 stks gs in Aug.
