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Benoist pleased as Ectot drawn in middle for Arc

3 minute read

Gregory Benoist says Ectot's draw "is just what I hoped for" after the leading contender was handed stall ten for Sunday's Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Ectot parading with Gregory Benoist
Ectot parading with Gregory Benoist Picture: Racing and Sports

However, there was less good news for connections of Kingston Hill and Ivanhowe, who were drawn wide in stalls 20 and 19 respectively.

Trained by Elie Lellouche, Ectot has been among the leading fancies for the Arc since his victory in the Prix Niel at Longchamp last month and he has been drawn next to his pacemaker Montviron, who breaks from gate 11.

Benoist was on hand to select stall ten for his mount at the Arc draw on Friday and said: "A draw right in the middle is just what I was hoping for. I can see everything and make a plan from there."

While Benoist was pleased with his draw, trainer Roger Varian was left cursing his luck when St Leger winner Kingston Hill was placed in stall 20. The three-year-old was shunted out to 16-1 from 12-1 after the draw.

Benoist overlooked Avenir Certain when choosing to ride Ectot and the filly was handed stall one on the inside of the track.

Last year's winner Treve was last to be drawn and will race from stall three while Taghrooda is drawn in 15, the same stall from which Treve won last year.

The main market mover following the draw was Tapestry, who was supplemented for the race on Thursday. She will race from gate eight and is 10-1 (from 14) for victory.

Full draw for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe

1 - Avenir Certain

2 - Gold Ship

3 - Treve

4 - Flintshire

5 - Dolniya

6 - Ruler Of The World

7 - Al Kazeem

8 - Tapestry

9 - Prince Gibraltar

10 - Ectot

11 - Montviron

12 - Harp Star

13 - Spiritjim

14 - Just A Way

15 - Taghrooda

16 - Siljan's Saga

17 - Free Port Lux

18 - Chicquita

19 - Ivanhowe

20 - Kingston Hill


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