Marquand full of hope for big Arc run from Gezora

Tom Marquand is delighted to have picked up the ride on Gezora in Sunday’s Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, on what could be a stellar weekend for the jockey at ParisLongchamp.

France’s champion-elect trainer Francis-Henri Graffard has booked Marquand hot on the heels of the rider claiming a second British Classic on Aidan O’Brien’s Scandinavia a couple of weeks ago in the St Leger.

The 27-year-old cited his ability to get down to 8st 9lb as one of the reasons he got the call, but he is also a regular visitor to France to ride for his boss William Haggas, with the pair enjoying a good degree of success together – which could get even better over the next couple of days.

“As Gezora is only carrying 8st 9lb it does limit the pool of jockeys slightly, but thankfully I can do the weight,” said Marquand.

“Francis has always been fantastic with me since I’ve been going to France and I’ve ridden a handful each year for him, the same with Andre Fabre, and I’m lucky enough that I’m over in France quite a bit so my name is there whenever jockeys are being discussed – and I’ve had a bit of luck in French Group Ones so hopefully that can continue.

“She’s a Group One winner and her run in the Vermeille (second to Aventure) was, by the sounds if it, exactly what Francis was hoping for from her so it looks like an all-systems-go type of scenario, which is great.

“She was staying on nicely at the end of the Vermeille and while I was only watching, like everyone else, Francis is very positive about her and he was really pleased with it so hopefully it sets her up really nicely coming into this.”

Marquand has yet to win Europe’s premier race, but has plenty of time to do so, and being on a three-year-old filly is sometimes the best way to success.

“Three-year-old fillies have a great record in the race, she’s a Prix de Diane winner and while it’s obviously a really tough race, she looks a live one, she’s classy and hopefully she can continue what has been a fantastic year,” Marquand told the PA news agency.

Looking at the rest of his rides in Paris, Marquand had no hesitation in putting forward More Thunder in the Prix de la Foret as the pick, but there are several others with big chances.

“The draw for More Thunder is not ideal (16 of 16), but given the way he races I don’t think it’s the end of the world. Obviously we would have preferred a kinder one, but I’m looking forward to him,” he said.

“I’m on Rashabar in the Prix Dollar (on Saturday) and he’s a really solid performer. He’s not won this year, but he hasn’t run a bad race, hopefully his time is about to come.

“Santorini Star in the Prix de Royallieu (Saturday) has been fantastic this season, she’s shown an amazing amount of improvement this year and William loves these types of fillies that just improve and improve.

“She went up to two miles at York and that helped get her back on track and then Doncaster was a big performance, hopefully she can pick up a Group One as her form is rock solid.

“It’s never an easy race, but William has a great record in it with Sea Silk Road and Sea La Rosa and hopefully she can be another.

“She started off at Brighton in April and no way did I think she’d be running in this, but I’ve learned over the last few years riding for William to never underestimate those staying fillies as they can pleasantly surprise you.”

With George Scott’s Caballo De Mar in the Prix Du Cadran (Saturday) and Haggas’ Sky Majesty in the Prix de l’Abbaye, Marquand will be disappointed if he fails to add to his Group One tally.