Hammond expects a tough race

John Hammond has dismissed any concerns about the ground for Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and yesterday rated his current superstar, Montjeu, as "more complete" than the 1991 Arc hero, Suave Dancer.

The Chantilly-based trainer is aiming for a third success in Europe's premier all-aged race following Montjeu's epic overhaul of El Condor Pasa 12 months ago but is under no illusions about the task Montjeu faces against the Irish-trained double-Derby hero Sinndar.

"I thought Sinndar was very impressive when he won the Prix Niel. In fact, I thought he was more impressive than when he won the Derby. They say we can expect him to have come on again from that race and, if he has, he will take a lot of beating," Hammond said yesterday.

But there is no shortage of confidence in the odds-on favourite Montjeu, who received an upbeat report from his trainer and a favourable comparison with his other former Arc and French Derby winner.

"Suave Dancer probably didn't quite get the mile and a half but won because of his brilliance. Montjeu is probably more complete in that he has the same kind of speed but he stays better," said Hammond, who rates this year's Arc a potential classic.

"It certainly looks a better Arc than the one Suave Dancer won. It's not often you get the best three-year-old and the best older horse in Europe taking each other on in the Arc and, assuming they run their race, it should be a wonderful contest," he added.

The ground at Longchamp was good yesterday, but although Montjeu won on heavy ground last year, Hammond is unconcerned about what surface his colt will face, along with Sinndar and the German champion Samum.

"If anything the ground is slightly on the fast side of good at the moment but there is rain forecast. I don't think the ground really matters too much to Montjeu. He goes on the soft, he's won on good to firm and it'll probably end up in between on Sunday," he said.

Montjeu missed the Irish Champion Stakes earlier this month due to an ankle problem but Hammond doesn't see that as a factor in the Arc.

"It was a factor before the Prix Foy but not now. I'm as happy with his condition going into the race as I was last year. He has gone really well since his last race and if he stays sound until the Arc I'll be happy enough with him. But the last three or four days are always an anxious time," Hammond said.

Tipperary will be the Irish meeting competing with the televised Arc de Triomphe fixture, and the home card could see the seasonal debut of Limestone Lad.

James Bowe's popular runner hasn't appeared since finishing second in the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham but is expected to take his chance in the Tipperary Co-Op Hurdle over two and a half miles.

"He has actually done too well out on grass during the summer and the only way for us to get back to peak fitness is to race him. He has schooled well over fences and we will consider any hurdle or chase which he is qualified for this season," said Michael Bowe.