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Rain could derail Snow Fairy's Arc

Snow Fairy, near side, winning the Irish Champion Stakes at LeopardstownSnow Fairy, near side, winning the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown
© Photo Healy Racing

Ed Dunlop fears the current spell of wet weather may force him to rethink his Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe plans for Snow Fairy.

Having returned from a serious injury better than ever, the globetrotting mare earned her place in the end-of-season showpiece by beating Nathaniel and St Nicholas Abbey in the Irish Champion Stakes.

She finished third in the race to Danedream last season before heading back out to Japan to win back-to-back renewals of the Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup at Kyoto, but all her best form is on fast ground.

"Officially she's a better horse than she was last year which is even more phenomenal after having such a serious tendon injury," Dunlop told At The Races.

"We've been lucky that the procedure worked but we must never forget she has a huge will to win. Her heart has always been enormous, she's not very big but she wants to win.

"Sadly those that go faster tend to injure themselves more.

"It's a weather-watch. I believe we've got rain coming in and if it's going on in Paris, we won't be going."

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.