The grey filly Estrange will not run in Sunday's £4.1 million Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp after being withdrawn following a coughing episode and a poor draw.
Trained by David O'Meara and owned by Cheveley Park Stud, the four-year-old was one of 18 declared runners but drew stall 18, the widest possible. Statistics show that since 1988, no winner has come from a stall wider than 16, and 24 of 38 winners have emerged from stalls two to seven.
Cheveley Park Stud managing director Chris Richardson described the draw as a 'downer' earlier in the day, noting the frustration of having the widest berth. However, by 5pm, Estrange was announced a non-runner, reducing the field to 17.
Trainer David O'Meara confirmed the decision: 'We're all devastated. She worked earlier in the week and worked great and it looked like the rain was coming for her which was ideal. This morning she was coughing after exercise and I scoped her and she was dirty – we don't have enough time to get her cleaned up.'
O'Meara added that the filly will be placed on antibiotics and monitored over the coming week. Estrange, a soft-ground specialist, had finished second to favourite Minne Hauk on unsuitable good-to-firm ground last time out.
