LA CRESSONNIERE, France’s leading hope for next Sunday’s Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, has been ruled out of the race by trainer Jean-Claude Rouget after picking up a slight injury.
Unbeaten in eight starts, including the Classic double of the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches and the Prix de Diane, La Cressonniere had been a best-priced 5-1 second favourite for the race, which is being run at Chantilly for the first time this year.
Rouget told France’s Jour de Galop: “After her canter on Saturday morning we noticed that she seemed to be feeling something behind. We have been obliged to put her on anti-inflammatories. Given the clearance period required for the prescription, it is impossible that she will line up next Sunday at Chantilly.”
Rouget said that he did not know the exact nature of the problem but that he expected La Cressonniere to make a full recovery.
“At the moment I can’t say whether the problem is with her pelvis, her vertebrae or elsewhere,” he said. “But I don’t think it is a very serious problem. The filly will be rested throughout the winter and will come back in 2017.”
La Cressionniere’s connections also have Irish Champion Stakes winner Almanzor as a potential Arc runner, but he remains very likely to head to Ascot for the Qipco Champion Stakes.
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