It is an important weekend for La Grange, with two runners at the Arc meeting in Longchamp, and another in Keeneland, USA.
Joshua Tree, owned by Mr K K Al Nabooda and Mr K Albahou, runs in the prestigious Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Group 1) over 1 mile 4 furlongs on Sunday. Richard Hughes is a positive booking aboard this son of Montjeu, however we have been given a tough draw out wide in 14. Joshua Tree will definitely handle the track, having finished only a length and a half down to Arc hot favourite Orfevre in the Prix Foy in 2012. Everyone here is very hopeful of a respectable run.
Also on Sunday: Times Up, owned by Mrs I.H Stewart-Brown and Mr M.J Meacock, who recently defended his Doncaster Cup, takes his place among a 10 strong field in the Qatar Prix du Cadran (Group 1) over 2 miles 4 furlongs. Ryan Moore rides again with the hope of landing his first Group 1. Being a Group 1, there is no doubt it will be competitive. Times Up bounced back to form at Doncaster and will yet again meet old-rival the James Fanshawe trained High Jinx, however how he handles the step up in trip is unknown. The race is late in the afternoon, after the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and therefore the ground will almost definitely be slow. Times Up goes with a great chance and we are very hopeful.
Meanwhile, Amazonas, owned by Sir Robert Ogden, will be running in The First Lady Stakes (Group 1) over a mile, across the Atlantic in Keeneland, USA. Alice Haynes and Andrew Stringer made the trip with Amazonas last Saturday, spending 2 days in quarantine at Arlington, Virginia before going on to their destination, Keeneland. She will be partnered By J Rocco Jr. The race will be run at 4:20pm local time on Saturday, which is 9:17pm English Time.
"Arc weekend is the highlight of the European calendar and we are thrilled to have two runners on the day; Joshua Trees owners are being very sporting by running him in the Arc, fingers crossed he gives a good account of himself. Times Up is coming into the Prix du Cadran in fantastic form after winning the Doncaster Cup. Let's hope there is sun in Paris which allows the ground to dry out a bit! If this is not enough, the excitement for the team kicks off at 9:17pm on Saturday night when Amazonas runs in a Group 1. I hope the English bookmakers price of 9/4 is more indicative of her chance than the American bookmakers who have her at 15/1. Good luck to everyone!."