Whirl aiming to underline Arc claims with Vermeille victory

Whirl is among a plethora of horses looking to cement their place in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on a jam-packed card at ParisLongchamp on Sunday.

Touched off by stablemate Minnie Hauk in the Oaks, she has since beaten Kalpana in the Pretty Polly in Ireland and ran out an easy winner of the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood.

She is as low as 6-1 joint-favourite for the Arc in some lists in a market that is sure to have a big shake-up after this weekend.

O’Brien also runs Bedtime Story, who was second to Gezora in the Prix de Diane and that pair meet again.

Stable representative Chris Armstrong said: “It looks a lovely race for her. Obviously, there are some very good fillies in it. It is a very good race, it is a Group One and it will be nice to get this out of the way and see where she fits in for the back end of the season – is she a filly that ends up in the Arc mix?

“She has loads of options and she has been a filly that has just gone from strength to strength this year, physically and mentally. She came through Goodwood very well and her work has been lovely since. Aidan and all the team at home have been delighted with her. Looking forward to tomorrow.”

Francis-Henri Graffard said of Gezora: “This race has been the target ever since she won the Prix de Diane. She worked on the racecourse on Tuesday and everything went smoothly.

“I don’t think the longer distance will be an issue – she’s very relaxed in her races. She’s also proven she can handle any ground.

“This race will help us decide on the rest of her campaign. The Arc is certainly an option, but the Prix de l’Opera is also on the table.”

Christophe Ferland’s Aventure was second to Bluestocking in both the Prix Vermeille and the Arc last season and returns for a second tilt at the former contest after finishing second to Calandagan in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud last time out.

“Everything is looking good for Sunday. Maxime Guyon came to work her on Tuesday morning and all went well. Aventure is in great form,” said Ferland.

Los Angeles was a fine third in the Arc last season, having attempted the tough task of making all.

He added another Group One to his record in the Tattersalls Gold Cup earlier this campaign, but O’Brien admitted his King George tactics were wrong and felt he was some way from his best last time out. He runs in the Prix Foy.

“We’re very happy, he only started back at the Curragh (last time) so he was always going to have an easy time. He had an easy time because it was his first run back, then the plan was he would go to France for his next one and it will be a bit harder,” said O’Brien.

“He’s still not all out, there’s more to come, and hopefully he’ll arrive in time for the Arc. The season went downhill a bit at Ascot but the Arc has always been his aim.”

Sosie was one place behind Los Angeles in the Arc and has his first run since finishing sixth in the Eclipse for Andre Fabre.

The Japanese challenger, Byzantine Dream, was second in the Tenno Sho when last seen in May and connections are hoping this will be the perfect stepping stone to the Arc.

His trainer Tomoyasu Sakaguchi, said: “In the Foy, the key is for him to have a good, incident-free race that serves as a springboard to the main goal. His preparation has gone very well. He’s a bit unsettled by the change of environment – his stress levels are higher than they would be in Japan – but we hope he’ll settle quickly.”

Ed Walker’s Almaqam showed his class earlier in the season when beating Ombudsman, but has been frustrated by the dry summer and this will be his first try at 12 furlongs.

“I think the Prix Foy is the right race for him,” said Walker.

“The ground should suit. Several jockeys who’ve ridden him before believe he’ll stay. His pedigree doesn’t make it obvious, but the way he races suggests he should. He’s a dream of a horse for a jockey – you can place him anywhere.

“Sunday will tell us whether he’s an Arc horse or better suited to the Champion Stakes. He’s in phenomenal form.”

The Prix Niel should prove informative too, with Jean-Claude Rouget’s Grand Prix de Paris winner Leffard in a field of eight.

“His preparation went well. Leffard and Arrow Eagle (runs in the Prix Foy) worked together on Monday at Deauville and finished together,” said Rouget.

“I didn’t see the point in running Leffard at Deauville. I think moving the Arc trials up by a week was a great decision – it gives horses more recovery time.”

Aidan O’Brien runs Swagman, not seen since winning the Classic Trial at Sandown, and Aftermath, who is making his seasonal reappearance.

Joseph O’Brien sends over Tennessee Stud, third in the Derby and fourth in the Irish version, with George Scott’s Bay City Roller another who cannot be dismissed trying the trip for the first time.