Workforce Could Skip the Arc Over Ground Concerns

The Arc De Triomphe is certainly getting a bit more complicated by the day as the going concerns are starting to accumulate for a number of high-profile contenders. With current expectations veering towards faster going, horses like Nathaniel and Workforce are now seeing question marks arising over their involvement in the Longchamp showpiece.

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Speaking to the media on Thursday, conditioner Sir Michael Stoute indicated that Workforce was not 100% for the Arc based on the ground conditions playing faster than preferred. “He's a big, heavy horse and we do like good ground for him. We will get someone to have a look at the ground for us and I am concerned about it at the moment.”

Workforce's absence would be a real disappointment for many as he won last year's iteration of the contest and was set to defend his title. He captured the high-profile French contest by a slim margin over Nakayama Festa, who also returns for another attempt.

After being a major factor in the ante post market for the Arc, Workforce has now seen his price drift upwards to 8/1 while Sarafina continues to hang onto the favourite's position with her odds priced at 4/1 on Thursday.

Snow Fairy has been the subject of a pronounced gamble since the news of quick going at Longchamp brought her further into the equation. Her price has been taken from 25/1 to 14/1 and she will likely contest a 10/1 price on the day.

Galikova has also seen her odds drop based on the ground and she can currently be backed at a reasonable 15/2 and that may offer up some real value for punters as she has been dominating the Group 1 circuit at Longchamp this season.