Fallon: Arc de Triomphe won't be walkover for Sea The Stars

Doubts: Kieren Fallon
Danny White13 April 2012

Former champion jockey Kieren Fallon believes odds-on favourite Sea The Stars can be beaten in Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.

John Oxx's brilliant colt heads to Paris following victories in the 2,000 Guineas, Epsom Derby, Eclipse, Juddmonte International and Irish Champion Stakes.

But Fallon, who won the mile-and-a-half showpiece on Hurricane Run in 2005 and Dylan Thomas in 2007, thinks this season's exertions could have taken their toll on Sea The Stars.

Writing in his Racing Post Weekender column, Fallon said: "Watching the TV and reading the papers you would think Sea The Stars only has to turn up to win, but I don't see it that way."

Fallon believes the Arc defeats suffered by the likes of Generous, Troy and Reference Point to illustrate his opinion.

They all went to Europe's biggest race as hot favourites and flopped.

On the other hand, the Irishman says another Oxx runner - 2000 Derby winner Sinndar - had the perfect build-up with only two runs following Epsom.

Fallon, who rides Mick Channon's twice runner-up Youmzain, explained: "Sinndar's preparation had been entirely different to this year's champion.

"Sea The Stars hasn't missed a dance this season and the Arc is usually won by a horse trained specifically for it.

"I'm not saying Sea The Stars can't win, but he is not the good thing the media and bookies believe."

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