Alpinista wins emotional Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe for Sir Mark Prescott

The strongly backed favourite Alpinista won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, a glorious result for the veteran Newmarket trainer Sir Mark Prescott, at Longchamp on Sunday.

Prescott’s gutsy five-year-old mare was always travelling well in the straight after a punishing pace set by Titleholder and when the patient Luke Morris kicked for home she had enough in reserve to hold off the strong, late challenge by Vadeni under controversial rider Christophe Soumillon with last year’s winner Torquator Tasso in third.

The trainer was fighting back the tears afterwards when he told ITV Racing: “I’m lucky to get her at this time in my career. A great day. [The emotion] has caught me out – just a marvellous day.

Stratford 1.00 Storm Dennis 1.35 Oneforthegutter 2.10 It’s A Good Name 2.45 Time To Bite 3.20 Kazontherazz 3.55 Dream In The Park 4.30 Borderline Pontefract 1.25 Baroque Prince 1.55 Reward Smile 2.30 Emperor Caradoc 3.05 Wynford 3.40 Gainsbourg 4.15 Sobegrand 4.50 Patontheback 5.25 Sweet GlanceWindsor 1.30 Big Bard 2.02 Fanciful 2.37 Divina Grace 3.12 Surrey Mist 3.47 Novaportian 4.22 My Lion 4.57 Gentle Whinny 5.32 Rose BartonWolverhampton 4.46 Showman 5.20 Palifico (nb) 5.55 Pop Dancer 6.30 Laurentia (nap) 7.00 Three Dons 7.30 Chookie Dunedin 8.00 Georgia Madeleine 8.30 Quarter Blue

He added: “It’s absolutely marvellous but the last 100 yards absolutely killed me. Such a relief she held on. Luke has ridden for us for 11 years and Miss Rausing [the owner] has had horses with us for 36, so I’m very lucky. I trained her grandmother so it’s hard to think of a better day.

“This is a wonderful change to have one who can really go and she’s just been perfect.”