British raider to watch at the Arc: Maltese Cross
He skipped the 250th St Leger for this. Now Maltese Cross gets his shot at the biggest prize in Europe.
William Haggas’s Maltese Cross has been officially confirmed for Paris. He is named alongside Kalpana as one of Britain’s two main challenges to defending champion Daryz.
The decision that raised eyebrows
Back in August, Haggas made a call that surprised plenty of people. He pulled Maltese Cross out of the 250th running of the St Leger to focus entirely on the Arc instead. Haggas was open about weighing the race’s history against the horse’s long-term prospects, choosing the extra preparation time over Doncaster.
It is not the trainer’s first brush with this race either. Haggas saddled Sea Of Class to a narrow defeat by Enable in the 2017 Arc, a result he has never quite put behind him.
The form behind the decision
That decision looks easier to understand given his recent form. Maltese Cross won the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York, getting the better of Derby winner Christmas Day in the process.
He has already won a Group 1 over the Arc’s own course and distance too, taking the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp earlier this season. As a three-year-old, he also receives a 6lb weight allowance from the older Daryz.
Britain’s other hope
Kalpana, trained by Andrew Balding for owner Juddmonte, completes Britain’s leading pair in the race. She finished seventh in last year’s Arc, beaten seven lengths by this year’s favourite Daryz, after losing a cheekpiece rounding the final bend.
Balding has fitted new ones this time. Her connections have said she may be operating at a higher level than she showed last year, and they are backing her with real confidence heading to Paris.
What comes next
The final declaration, weight and jockey booking will be confirmed closer to the race. For now, Maltese Cross stands as the British raider with the clearest form claim to interrupt Daryz’s title defence. See our full week’s Arc coverage for the rest of the field.
