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.