Ascot could host 2008 Arc

Ascot racecourse has emerged as a potential candidate for staging the 2008

Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1) during Longchamp's redevelopment program. France-Galop's general manager Louis Romanet told the Racing Post that the revamped

Berkshire venue was being taken seriously as an option for the autumn showpiece.

"In the near future, Longchamp must be redeveloped and the track will have to be

closed, like Ascot was, for around 20 months," he told the Post. "Ascot is the

only

European racecourse with the capacity to house in excess of 50,000 people in

comfort, but other alternatives like Chantilly will obviously be looked at. In

addition,

the new track as Ascot has been a success, and this would be an important factor

if the weather turned bad. One third of our clients for Arc weekend are English,

and

such a project would be a first in Europe."

Ascot's Chief Executive Douglas Erskine-Crum welcomed the possibility, saying, "I know there are plans to redevelop

Longchamp and we would be delighted to be considered to stage the Arc, if that

is

what France-Galop decided they wanted."