Oh goodie.... now he has a built-in excuse.
MANDURO COULD HAVE NEW PARTNER
By Nick Robson, PA Sport
Manduro, officially rated the best horse in Europe, could have a new jockey in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe if Zambezi Sun is in the line-up.
Andre Fabre's five-year-old has struck up a fantastic partnership with Stephane Pasquier and the pair are unbeaten in four starts this year, including a hat-trick of Group Ones.
However, Pasquier is the retained rider for Prince Khalid Abdullah, owner of Grand Prix de Paris winner Zambezi Sun, and he would be obliged to ride Pascal Bary's three-year-old if he runs in the Arc.
"Pasquier is retained by us, not Andre Fabre. If Zambezi Sun runs in the Arc, Pasquier will ride him," said Teddy Grimthorpe, Abdullah's racing manager.
"Zambezi Sun is very well and he will run in the Prix Niel at Longchamp on September 16. He will take a near-identical path to Rail Link last year.
"He's in very good form. He is pleasing Pascal in everything he is doing and he is developing so we live in hope."
Following Manduro's victory in the Prix Jacques le Marois over a mile on Sunday, he has been well-backed with Coral for the Arc, despite the race being run over half a mile further.
"Manduro is seen as the world's best racehorse right now and as a result, punters want to be with him regardless of the trip or the surface," said Coral's David Stevens.
The Barking firm now have Manduro as 4-1 second favourite for the end of season showpiece.
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