Autumn Update winner Diamond Necklace (11/10)

Francis-Henri Graffard, who is set to be crowned champion trainer in France, won the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp for the first time courtesy of Daryz. The son of Sea The Stars suffered his first defeat when finishing last of six in the Juddmonte International at York in August. An unlucky second in his 'prep' over ten furlongs last month, the three year old relished the step up to a mile and a half here as he reeled in the dual Oaks winner Minnie Hawk close home. Sporting the silks of the late Aga Khan, it was the owner's first win in the one of the most coverted prizes in the sport since 2008. Minnie Hawk ran a blinder in second and, having led over two furlongs out, she looked set to provide Ballydoyle with their win in the event. It can be argued the underfoot conditions determined the outcome - the winner appreciates a slow surface (her only poor effort came on fast ground on the Knavesmire), whilst the runner-up has produced her best efforts of much livelier ground. The finish was dominated by two top-class three year olds. 

Japan continue to struggle in their fight to win the European showpiece with their three representatives finishing fifth, fourteenth and sixteenth. In their defence, the rain which arrived in Paris on Friday evening into Saturday morning didn't do them any favours, nor the draw. In total, they have had 38 runners without success.

While the Autumn Update didn't find the Arc winner - Minnie Hawk (advised @ 5/1) faring the best - it did unearth the first two home in the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac which kicked off Sunday's action. The Aidan O'Brien trained Diamond Neckless produced a high-class performance to maintain her unbeaten record with a cosy one length victory from Green Spirit. The daughter of St Mark's Basilica had won a Listed event at Leopardstown last month and was expected to appreciate the extra furlong here. Confidently ridden by Christophe Soumillon, she wasn't hard pressed to get the better of Christopher Head's runner. The 1000 Guineas at Newmarket is expected to be her first port of call next spring before coming into her own over middle distances. Don't be surprised to see her back in twelve months bidding to go one better than stablemate Minnie Hawk in the big one. 

Despite only finishing fourth, one of the performances of the weekend came in the Group 1 Prix de La Foret by More Thunder. The four year old has been a revelation since joining William Haggas. Rated 87 when moving across town following the retirement of Sir Michael Stoute, he has won four times this year and is unlucky not to have gone through the year unbeaten. Unfortunate not to win the Wokingham Handicap off 98 in June, he won the Group 2 Hungerford Stakes at Newbury in August. Drawn widest of all in 16 here, he was dropped in by Tom Marquand and was last early on. On an afternoon when it was nearly impossible to win from the rear, he finished strongly and was only beaten three lengths. The son of Night of Thunder has come a long way in a short space of time and is a terrific prospect for next year. I look forward to my annual visit to Somerville Lodge in February to see what his trainer has got in mind for the Saeed Suhail owned colt.

I am aware that many clients are still awaiting the arrival of One Jump Ahead even though all orders were posted on Wednesday and Thursday last week. Since July, Royal Mail elected to cut back on their second class deliveries to three days a week - and not at all on a Saturday. It is very frustrating for all concerned but hopefully the books will arrive through client's letterboxes early this week. I am afraid it is the world we live in nowadays - do as little as possible and get away with as much as they can.