THE Arc de Triomphe meeting began with the Qatar Prix Chaudenay which is an event for budding stayers and the Hughie Morrison Vent De Force nearly made it into the winners’ enclosure.

Ridden by Umberto Rispoli, the son of Hurricane Run was always handy and the leader halfway up the straight at which point Gregory Benoist was conjuring up a late run out of Auvray. They took control 100 metres from the line and went on to win by half a length with the well-backed Baino Hope just inches away third.

Auvray, a son of Le Havre, can now be safely described as the best staying three-year-old in France as he had previously beaten a similar field in the Group 3 Prix de Lutece. For Auvray to show his best he must have a good or firmer surface to race on. Elisabeth Vidal owns 50% of the colt and her husband Sylvain said: “Elie Lellouche made a good decision to run the colt over staying distances. He was given a brilliant ride by Gregory (Benoist).”

Later in the day, Auvray made the top price of €800,000 at the Arqana Arc sale. He was knocked down to Michael Wallace who was acting on behalf of the China Horse Club. Vent De Force won €72,160 as he was bred at Alec Waugh’s Jedburgh Stud in Normandy so qualified for the owner’s premium. The colt could be back for the Prix Royal-Oak at the end of the month.

Vazira was most disappointing and finished last. “She is not what she was at the beginning of the season and is not so keen now,” commented Christophe Soumillon.