The 100^th Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe – over the years the best flat race in the world – and a sizeable field made for a great spectacle and memorable occasion. But it was not the vintage edition some claimed of it, with no Mishriff, St Mark’s Basilica (both perhaps better at around 10f) or Love (withdrawn late on due to the rain-softened ground), and in the event the form horse Adayar running out of petrol late on. Still, the winner might have been unexpected but he was deserving as things unfolded, about average for an Arc winner in recent years (behind Waldgeist in 2019 and Enable’s first win in 2017). The pace was surprisingly steady until Adayar was given his head after 4f and took them along, the finishing speed for final 600m and final 400m around 107%, and that did not suit some of the runners, not least Adayar himself.  

TORQUATOR TASSO (124 here, 118 previously) had been achieving more than many were prepared to credit him with in Germany this year – a possibly unlucky second to Alpinista in a Group 1 before winning at that level at Baden-Baden – but still must have improved a bit to win a race of this calibre, held up in mid-field, driven 500m out and wider than most before edging right and running on for pressure to edge ahead with 100m to go, asserting near the finish. This was just his fifth race of the campaign, so we should see more of him this year, though how he would cope with ground firmer than good is unknown.

TARNAWA (120 here and previously) ended up running up to her best without the smoothest of passages along the way, awkward to load and a bit slowly away, soon in mid-field but losing her place slightly and short of room for a few strides before improving up the inner to dispute the lead with 150m to go, one paced near the end. She should have a good chance of a repeat win at the Breeders’ Cup, but the evidence is that she is very good but not quite outstanding.

HURRICANE LANE (123 here and previously) continues to perform heroically, this his toughest test yet, and he ran as well as he ever has, mid-field, driven 600m out and briefly with little room but staying on to dispute the lead 150m out under pressure, unable to pull out more near the finish. The suggestion was that he will remain in training as a 4yo, which would be great to see.

ADAYAR (118 here, 127 previously) was far from discredited but ended up losing a race he had the form to win, and which he looked like winning for some way (touched almost 2/1 on in running), not settling fully until allowed to stride on after 800m or so, better thereafter and quickening into a lead of 3 lengths early in the home straight, only to wilt and be caught with 150m to go, one of the slowest in the entire field in the final 200m. He showed stamina aplenty in winning a well-run Derby on good to soft going, and in following up at Ascot on much firmer, so it would seem that his early exertions here and being in front for so long proved his undoing. He should have more good races in him at this trip, though possibly also at around 10f (at which trip the early pace tends to be stronger) if staying in training in 2022.  

SEALIWAY (117 here and previously) ran his best race of the year, having started it looking a major classic contender on the back of a demolition job in the Lagardere, ridden to get the trip and still going well wide 500m out but coming steadily under pressure, initially closing but one paced late on, the trip seeming to tax him.   

SNOWFALL (114 here, 118 previously) ran close to her best, not good enough in open company in all probability, held up mid to rear, briefly having to wait for a run 450m out but soon alongside the winner before her run rather petered out. She is a very smart filly, if not quite the superstar some interpretations of her classic wins suggested.

CHRONO GENESIS (114 here, 120 previously) was a bit below form, in second for much of the race (kept wide early) and with every chance until weakening (and being squeezed for room briefly) 150m out. Her best form would have seen her go close.

BUBBLE GIFT (116 here, 107 previously) ran surprisingly well, though never a danger and making late gains having been a bit slowly away.

ALENQUER (114 here, 115 previously) ran creditably with no excuses, briefly leading early and quite close up until left behind in the final 450m.

MOJO STAR (114 here and previously) is likely to struggle against high-class opposition at 12f but ran creditably, quite close up in the main group until outpaced late on.

BROOME (110 here, 117 previously) was below form, managing to lead briefly early despite a slowish start but weakening from prominence late on.

RAABIHAH (103 here, 111 previously) was steadied towards the rear and made just the briefest of headway early in the straight, not knocked about thereafter.

BABY RIDER (104 here, 107 previously) never threatened to get into it.

DEEP BOND (? here, 118 previously) stopped quickly after making some headway wide, though driven along, 600m out.