Arc de Triomphe loses Nathaniel, but may add Masked Marvel

Nathaniel, the winner of the Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in England in July, will not start in Sunday’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in Paris because of expected firm ground, trainer John Gosden told the English press on Wednesday.

Instead, Gosden’s stable could start Masked Marvel, the winner of the Group 1 English St. Leger on Sept. 11, in the Arc, which is run over about 1 1/2 miles on turf. Masked Marvel would have to be supplemented for approximately $136,000 on Thursday.

Gosden indicated that Nathaniel will be pointed for the Group 1 Champion Stakes over about 1 1/4 miles at Ascot on Oct. 15.

The Arc lacked a standout favorite on Wednesday, with Sarafina, the winner of the Group 2 Prix Foy earlier this month, listed at 3-1, and So You Think, the winner of the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes earlier this month, listed at 7-2 by many English bookmakers.

Galikova, a half-sister to three-time Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Goldikova, was a 6-1 shot, a slightly lower price than defending champion Workforce at 7-1.

Wednesday, 14 horses remained eligible for the Arc, with the field likely to grow through supplements on Thursday. Aidan O’Brien, who trains So You Think, also has St. Nicholas Abbey, Seville, and Treasure Beach in the field.

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