Scott excited to be returning to ‘special’ venue with strong team

George Scott is excited to be returning to ParisLongchamp with Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe contender Bay City Roller and a strong supporting cast this weekend.

France’s premier Flat racecourse has proved a happy hunting ground for the Newmarket handler over the past 12 months, with Caballo De Mar providing him with a first Group One success in the Prix du Cadran on this weekend a year ago before returning to the track to land the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier in May.

With Bay City Roller having since shown his worth at the highest level with wins in Germany and on home soil in the Coronation Cup at Epsom, Scott is no longer sat on the fringes of the top table as he prepares to head back across the Channel with a crack team of stars.

He said: “I’m really excited and these are the days we get up early in the morning the rest of the year for. We’ve got a bunch of horses going there in really good shape and it’s just so exciting.

“Paris has been special for me. We know Caballo loves it there and has given us two wonderful days there, while Bay City has run some brilliant races in France as well, so it’s a track we have enjoyed.

“I’m so excited about the weekend and I’m quite relaxed. I feel if we were to win one race it would be great, we’ve achieved a lot already this year, but if we could just get one more it would be the icing on the cake.

“I don’t feel like an imposter like I have in the past. It’s not like I suffer from imposter syndrome or anything like that, but I feel very comfortable now with the process and I’ll feel comfortable putting saddles on these horses knowing how well they’ve been prepared.”

It is Bay City Roller who will lead the Eve Lodge battalion, as he prepares to take on the defending Arc champion Daryz again in Europe’s most prestigious middle-distance contest on Sunday, having chased him home in the Prix Foy four weeks ago.

Scott has long had the Arc circled on the calendar as a likely target for his stable star and it could tee up a busy autumn for the son of New Bay.

“The Arc is the pinnacle of world horse racing for many people and it will be proud moment for all of us involved in the horse to be running in it. It’s such a unique race to be involved in and I can’t wait,” the trainer continued.

“He will definitely run in the Arc and go to the Champion Stakes afterwards as he always takes his races well. He can back up off a tight run and the plan is to go to the Arc, then Ascot and maybe the Breeders’ Cup as well.

“He just seems to be going from strength to strength and he’s a really admirable horse isn’t he, just consistent. I have resigned myself to the fact it is going to be good ground, but I’m really hoping it will be slower than trials day as it was quick that day.”

Bay City Roller will be joined by Caballo De Mar, who will the might of Scandinavia in defence of his Cadran crown on Saturday.

Scott’s five-strong squad also includes thriving new recruit and Irish Champion Stakes second Wimbledon Hawkeye (Prix Dollar), defending Prix Daniel Wildenstein champion Ridari and handicap hopeful Command The Stars.

Scott added: “We’re just lucky to have this calibre of horse and it’s a great credit to my team at home that we can keep these horses rolling and competing in these top races. The pool of horses we’ve got at the top have been really consistent and have definitely taken us to the next level.

“We’re always looking to improve and Wimbledon Hawkeye has been the most wonderful addition to the team, so credit to Shaikh Nasser and Billy Jackson-Stops who got the deal done.

“If everything goes to plan like it has done the last 10 days I’ll be super relaxed as I know I can’t do anything more than what I’ve done – these horses have had a brilliant preparation.”