THERE were some good performances at Chantilly for the Qatar Arc de Triomphe trials but nothing outstanding.

That all happened the previous day at Leopardstown in the Qipco Irish Champion Stakes which was, without question, the finest race of the European season to date. Apart from the sprint, the times at Chantilly were disappointing on what was officially described as good ground, but it was loose on top.

The Japanese Arc hope Makahiki did the business in the Qatar Prix Niel in a slowly run race with a sprint finish. At the post, the colt had a neck to spare over the long-time leader Midterm, who rallied again late on after conceding the lead some two furlongs out.

Doha Dream was robbed of second place, by a short-head, in the final strides. Taking everything into consideration, Makahiki put up a sound performance.

He was racing for the first time since May, had to adapt to a new domicile and lost his off-hind shoe, probably turning into the straight.

It was his first run at Chantilly and trainer Yasuo Tomomichi has certainly left plenty to work on in the three weeks leading up to the Arc. Christophe Lemaire rode an intelligent and patient race on the 5-2 on favourite. A little outpaced entering the three-furlong straight, the son of Deep Impact began to lengthen his stride from one and a half out and a furlong later was at the head of affairs and still with plenty in the tank.

LEARNING

Lemaire was well-satisfied with the performance. “He did what we asked and the outing will bring him on a lot,” he said before adding: “Makahiki adapted to Chantilly but was on the wrong foot before the final turn.

“Just over a furlong out, he was going well and full of running. Losing a shoe didn’t help matters much either.”

Tomomichi disclosed: “I was very relieved after the race as he adapted to very different conditions compared to those we find in Japan.

“We’ll learn from this race and he’s sure to progress as he needed the outing, which was his first since May. A true trial in many ways.”

Makahiki was racing for just the fourth time and he has never won by more than a neck in three races. His sire was disqualified from third place in the 2006 Arc when instructions for a nasal spray were not totally understood, leading to a positive test.

The colt will try to put things straight and also hopes to become the first Japanese winner of the Arc after four second places in previous years.

MIDTERM

Midterm also deserves a lot of credit as he had also not run since May after a stress fracture to his pelvis. It occurred after a disappointing fifth in the Dante Stakes at York when the son of Galileo was favourite for the Investec Derby. Teddy Grimthorpe was delighted with the performance of Khalid Abdullah’s colt. He commented: “He hadn’t seen a racecourse since May due to a health problem which has now been sorted out.

“We are very happy to see him back on the track at this level of competition. The Prince and Sir Michael Stoute will decide on Midterm’s future programme. The Arc de Triomphe is an option but not a certainty.”

The Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot will also be considered as it gives the colt an extra fortnight.

Doha Dream will probably head for the longer Group 2 Prix Chaudenay back at this course on October 1st.