The Year of the Dragon?

Just a couple of hours to go before the greatest race of the Flat season: The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. For what it's worth, my three against the red-hot favourite Authorized (who has a great chance but is plenty short enough in the betting),are Soldier of Fortune, Mandesha (each-way) and, for those who fancy a couple of quid each-way on a rank outsider, Dragon Dancer. I like to side with horses in the Arc who have previously won over course and distance, and Soldier of Fortune, successful in the Prix Niel, historically the best trial for the Arc, and Mandesha, an impressive winer of the Prix de l'Opera exactly twelve months ago fit the bill. And Dragon Dancer, as he proved in last year's Derby is the sort of enigmatic performer who can make the frame at huge odds. Good luck with whatever you back and may the best horse win!

UPDATE: Well, it wasn't the Year of the Dragon, but the Year for Long Dead Welsh Poets. It was looking pretty good when Soldier of Fortune burst clear three from home, but being bumped by his stablemate didn't do his cause much good. Mandesha ran respectably enough without landing a blow, and although Dragon Dancer at 150-1 couldn't make the frame, at least he managed to beat Authorized (5-4)! What odds would you have got on that this morning! Hope you made some money on the event.