William Haggas ‘gutted’ as setback scuppers Merchant’s Arc hopes

Merchant will not run in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe after suffering a setback which will rule him out for the remainder of the season.

The Highclere Thoroughbred Racing-owned colt was a Royal Ascot hero earlier in the summer before following up in the gloom of a rainy Goodwood afternoon in the Gordon Stakes, a battling success that inspired dreams of ParisLongchamp glory this autumn.

The son of Teofilo was due to put his Arc aspirations to the test in the ‘win-and-you’re-in’ Prix Niel this Sunday, but trainer William Haggas has been left “gutted”, as his name was missing from the list of confirmations on Wednesday.

Haggas told the PA news agency: “He’s just met with a little setback so unfortunately he will be out for the rest of the year.

“It was always the plan to go to ParisLongchamp for the Prix Niel but unfortunately we’re not going.

“We feel a bit gutted but sadly that’s just the way it goes.”

Merchant ends his season having won three of his four starts and advanced his career record to four wins from seven.

He has risen to an official rating of 115 thanks to his winning heroics, firstly at York during the Dante meeting and then subsequently in the King George V Stakes and at Goodwood.