Racing: Fillies in Arc focus

ALL ALONG, in 1983, was the last filly to win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, but after a weekend of trials evidence is mounting that her record may not survive this year's renewal, at Longchamp on 4 October.

The bookmakers believe User Friendly, Magic Night and Jolypha to be the principal dangers to the two Derby winners, Dr Devious and St Jovite. User Friendly, Saturday's St Leger winner, is not far from favouritism with Coral, who offer 4-1 about Clive Brittain's triple Classic winner behind St Jovite at 11-4 and Dr Devious at 3-1. Last year's Arc runner-up Magic Night (9-1 with Ladbrokes) and the impressive French Oaks winner, Jolypha (10-1), both won at Longchamp's Arc trial meeting yesterday and are clearly peaking at the perfect moment.

Longchamp's most impressive display, though, was posted by a juvenile. Zafonic, trained by Andre Fabre, turned the Prix de la Salamandre into a procession, and is now quoted as low as 8-1 by Coral for next year's 2,000 Guineas: one point for every month between now and the Newmarket Classic.