Sinndar has smooth win

Sinndar and Montjeu are on course for a great showdown in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe Lucien Barriere after the pair came through their trials in impressive style at Longchamp yesterday.

Bookmakers were fairly impressed with both colts and Montjeu is now a best prize priced 4 to 6, with Sinndar at 4 to 1.

Sinndar simply overpowered his rivals, storming home by eight lengths in the Prix Niel-Casino D'Enghien-les-Baines Barriere.

Many experts have been insisting Montjeu only need turn up in three weeks' time to win the Arc. But Sinndar's trainer John Oxx said: "Montjeu is a terrific horse and hasn't been off the bridle this season but he might just be in the Arc!

"We'd have preferred Sinndar to be going for the Arc in a different year to Montjeu but hopefully we can make a race of it with him."

Johnny Murtagh was able to glance round at his toiling rivals as he allowed Sinndar to coast home and score by eight lengths from Crimson Quest.

"It's going to take a nice one to catch him now. He gave me an unbelievable feeling of power," said Murtagh.

Oxx said: "Sinndar surprises me every time he runs. He's an easy horse to underestimate as he's so lazy at home.

"He won the Irish Derby by nine lengths but I don't think he was really suited by the Curragh. It's his home track and he knows the area too well."

Oxx confirmed that Raypour is set to act as a pacemaker again in the Arc.

Montjeu produced his usual telling burst of speed to clinch victory in the Prix Foy Gray D'Albion Barriere. He expunged any lingering doubts over his fitness with a contemptuous dismissal of his three rivals.

"He has had small ankle problems and its good to get that one out of the way," said his trainer, John Hammond. Commander Collins briefly led but Michael Kinane was merely biding his time and Montjeu quickened smoothly to take the lead with a furlong to travel and went on to defeat Crillon by one-and-a-half lengths.

Kinane went on to collect the biggest prize on the card, the Prix Vermeille-Normandy Barriere, aboard Volvoretta, trained by Argentinean Carlos Lerner.

Valley Chapel, ridden by Eddie Ahern, won the £75,000 Group Three Stockholm Cup International at Taby yesterday in a thrilling finish with Barrier Reef.

At Belmont on Saturday, Fantastic Light gave Godolphin their second success in three years in the Man O'War Stakes.