The five-year-old remains a top-priced 12-1 for the Longchamp feature.

Hughes partnered Youmzain into second place in last year's Arc, failing by only a head to overhaul Dylan Thomas, ridden by Kieren Fallon, and he had been aboard the Mick Channon-trained horse in his four outings this season.

This 'jocking-off' comes as a surprise because Hughes and Youmzain had appeared such a steady, solid combination at Group One level. Hughes had ridden the horse in 11 of his 20 starts, for two wins: in York's Great Voltigeur Stakes two years ago and the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud only three months ago.

This year, Hughes had been aboard Youmzain when second in the Coronation Cup at Epsom, then in triumph at Saint-Cloud and, finally, when third behind Duke of Marmalade and Papal Bull in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.

Hughes's tactics in the King George had been queried in some quarters, but most observers drew the conclusion that the first two were superior on the day. Youmzain came home 9½ lengths adrift of the winner, having finished four lengths behind Dylan Thomas in that race the previous year.

Youmzain was taken to Newbury racecourse yesterday morning for a searching gallop, with Hills in the saddle. Channon, whose injuries have prevented him from getting back into his normal daily routine following a car accident last month, watched the workout from his vehicle.

Most debate on the Arc centres on the favourite Zarkava and the mystery surrounding her tardy departure from the starting gates in the Prix Vermeille at Longchamp eight days ago. Trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre believes his filly became unsettled by a rival in an adjacent stall.

Whether this contributed to Zarkava's antics is questionable, particularly as she seemed lethargic coming out of the stalls, but her subsequent performance, when she became focussed, was spectacular. Punters will be arguing one way and the other right up to the 'off' of the big race.

It was interesting to note the upbeat report given by trainer Eric Libaud concerning his unbeaten Vision d'Etat.

Libaud said: "He has come on enormously for his run at Longchamp last week. His legs are perfect, but I would like some rain before the Arc as he didn't have a very good action in the Prix Niel on firmish ground."

The French Derby winner is a top-priced 9-1.

Finally, the Paul Cole-trained River Proud collapsed and died halfway up the Longchamp straight in Saturday's Prix du Prince d'Orange. Vets reported the colt had burst a heart valve.

[ 本帖最後由 asiadragon 於 22/9/2008 04:48 PM 編輯 ]

???佢地中文譯名係....??:ddd: :ddd:

躍升的配搭會否增加隻馬勝算..唔知..
至少唔配 Classic Jockey..始終係好事

Vision d'Etat 需要落雨場地..對佢演出有利

Zarkava 出閘果度... Trainer 都承認果場隻馬係 Stall 係 Unsettled

River Proud --burst a heart valve:sss: :sss:

修改左..有中文譯名:jjjj::jjjj:

有分別咩 :lll:

我唔知有沒有..

但我知馬主認為有:fff::jjjj:

Richard Hills will replace Richard Hughes aboard Youmzain in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on Sunday week.

The decision was taken by owner Jaber Abdullah and Hills will beaboard the five-year-old for the first time in public at Longchamp.

The owner's racing manger Bruce Raymond told the Racing Post:"Jaber Abdullah has decided Richard Hills will ride Youmzain in the Arcbecause he feels the horse could benefit from a change of jockey.:fff:

"He knows Richard Hills from Dubai and greatly respects him as a rider.":tttt:


Youmzain was touched off by Dylan Thomas in last year's Arc and is a general 12/1 chance for this year's renewal.

侯理察同死火卓爭得幾多丫:jjjj:

最少增加變數:yyy::yyy::yyy:

但最好野係2位騎師最強的馬都係位置居多:fff:

馬力好,躍升:jjjj:

用莫雅都話丫, 完全加強唔到效果

馬力好唔多夠班啩:ppp: :ppp:

加強新鮮感:fff:

我指係 Place 方面:fff::fff:

2隻都唔多識 Win..

[ 本帖最後由 asiadragon 於 22/9/2008 08:31 PM 編輯 ]

想跑P.......問過奇兵仔同森遜仔先啦:tttt:

至少佢證明有能力跑近

森遜仔..直行就有些擔心..

奇兵仔..要睇最後 O'Brien 點安排先知..實力就一定有

我睇冇分別....?

2條友差得幾多呀? :lll:

仲有 news


RICHARD HILLS is to replace Richard Hughes on Youmzain in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday week after owner Jaber Abdullah decided to change riders on the Mick Channon-trained five-year-old, who was narrowly beaten in the 2007 running of Europe's most prestigious all-aged race.

The move ends an 11-race partnership between Youmzain and Hughes that began with a win in the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York two years ago.

Youmzain was yesterday 12-1 co-fifth favourite for the race with Derby winner New Approach, who, it emerged last night, will be targeted at the Champion Stakes instead.

The choice of Hills, a close friend of Abdullah's but who rarely rides for him, will be seen as a big surprise by many.

Last night, Abdullah's racing manager Bruce Raymond stressed there had been no fallout between the owner and Hughes. Raymond said: “Jaber Abdullah has decided Richard Hills will ride Youmzain in the Arc, because he feels the horse could benefit from a change of jockey.

“He knows Richard Hills from Dubai and greatly respects him as a rider. He has admired the way Richard Hughes has ridden Youmzain and, as far as I know, there is no fallout between them. Richard Hills rode the horse in a private gallopat Newbury this morning.”

Hills, first jockey to Hamdan Al Maktoum, said yesterday: “Mr Abdullah approached me ten days ago and said he wanted a change of jockey on Youmzain and I was delighted to accept his offer.

“I've ridden for the Maktoum family for many years and know their circle quite closely, including Mr Abdullah, who I've ridden for on occasions both in Dubai and over here.

“I was delighted with the feel Youmzain gave me this morning. It was a nice bit of work and he quickened up nicely at the end. I'm really looking forward to riding him in the Arc.”

Hughes took the news of Hills's booking for Youmzain on the chin and wished his weighing-room colleague “the best luck in the world” in the Qatar-sponsored race.         
He added: “I think Jaber spoke to Hamdan and between them they decided to use Richard.”

Of his excellent record on Youmzain, Hughes added: “I won a Group 1 on him two rides ago and his second to Dylan Thomas in the Arc last year was the best run of his life.

“I'm disappointed at losing the ride.:tttt: If the ground is on the soft side at Longchamp, Youmzain must have a great chance. But, having said that, I wish Richard the best luck in the world.”

Youmzain covered a mile and a quarter in his gallop, goingleft-handed into the home straight with two stablemates. Led by his regular lead horse Meeriss and Eddie Dowling, he quickened up to win by a length and looks in good form.

Youmzain has not raced since he finished third, beaten nine and a half lengths, behind Duke Of Marmalade in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot at the end of July.

He has been in regular action following Meeriss on the gallops, but Channon, making progress in his recovery from his recent car accident, felt thehorse needed a change of scenery with his Arc mission just two weeks away.

Before his head defeat by Dylan Thomas in last year's Arc, Youmzain had the benefit of an outing in Germany, finishing fourth in Group 1 company.

That run came after he had finished second to Dylan Thomas in the King George.
Raymond, who watched Youmzain do his latest piece of routine work at West Ilsley last Friday, said: “He's in great shape and looks to be blooming.

“He's quite an active horse who never impresses in his work, but recently he's been doing more, and when I spoke to Mick in his office he told me the horse is bursting for a run.”