NATHANIEL will not be supplemented for Sunday’s Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, but John Gosden is likely to be represented by Ladbrokes St Leger winner Masked Marvel.
There were 14 left in Sunday’s Longchamp feature yesterday, but at today’s final supplementary stage both of Gosden’s star colts would need adding to the field at a cost of 100,000 euros.
With the ground drying and the rest of the week in Paris likely to see warm, sunny weather Nathaniel – an impressive winner of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot – will miss the race.
He was instead left in at the latest forfeit stage for the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot on October 15.
“The horse isn’t running (in the Arc),” said a spokeswoman for James Wigan, racing manager to owner Lady Rothschild.
With that in mind Gosden is likely to supplement Masked Marvel, who won the St Leger at Doncaster earlier this month.
The Montjeu colt has been inserted into the Arc market at 14-1 by Betfred and Paddy Power.
Gosden’s racing secretary Peter Shoemark said yesterday: “No official decision will be made until tomorrow because that is when the supplementary stage is.”
Betfred spokesman George Primarolo said: “Masked Marvel would be an extremely interesting runner in the Arc if he’s supplemented, and punters will be acutely aware that John Gosden got it spot-on when shelling out to add Nathaniel to the King George field back in July.”
Five horses were taken out at the yesterday’s latest forfeit stage for the Arc.
Aidan O’Brien removed Regent Street and Wonder Of Wonders, but the Ballydoyle handler still has four possibles.
His team is headed by So You Think, who is a best-priced 9-2 second favourite with totesport, Betfred and Boylesports.
Coronation Cup winner St Nicholas Abbey, and Irish Derby first and second Treasure Beach and Seville are his other entries.
As expected, Casamento was taken by Godolphin while last year’s Leger winner Arctic Cosmos and David Wachman’s Giant Step were others to come out.
Last year’s winner Workforce – a 7-1 chance with most bookmakers – and Coral’s 7-2 favourite Sarafina, stood their ground.
TODAY’S NAP: Hollywood All Star (7.10pm Kempton).
