One of the biggest horse racing fixtures on the world stage gets underway on Saturday with the first of two days’ top-class racing action at Longchamp, France and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Festival.
The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is one of the richest and most prestigious races in the world and attracts a global entry featuring the very best middle-distance horses. But while the big race doesn’t go to post until Sunday, there is still plenty of classy supporting action on the opening day, including two Group One races, and we’ve taken a look at the major races taking place on Saturday.
LONGCHAMP SATURDAY TIPS – AT-A-GLANCE
| Race | Betting Tip |
| 12:23 Longchamp | ESPOIR AVENIR (7/2) |
| 12:58 Longchamp | COLTRANE (11/4) |
| 2:50 Longchamp | CAPE ORATOR (SP) |
| 3:25 Longchamp | RIDARI (8/1) |
| 4:00 Longchamp | BEDTIME STORY (9/2) |
| 4:35 Longchamp | BAY CITY ROLLER (4/1) |
PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE TIPS – SATURDAY
12:23 Longchamp – Qatar Prix Chaudenay (Group 2) (3yo) (Grande Course) (Turf) (3yo) 1m7f
This prize can stay in France courtesy of ESPOIR AVENIR (7/2) who comes into the race on the back of a Group Three win over C&D in August where the Montmartre colt had a couple of these rivals behind.
Christophe Ferland’s charge ran out an easy winner on that occasion, scoring by five lengths and comprehensively overturning earlier Listed form at Deauville. Further improvement certainly can’t be ruled out and having previously won on quicker ground, he won’t be found wanting on these conditions.
This is a step up in class, but all bar Irish challenger Tennessee Stud are taking a similar step up in grade and with doubts surrounding the stamina of Joseph O’Brien’s runner over this longer trip he looks the one to side with here.
12:58 Longchamp – Qatar Prix du Cadran (Group 1) (4yo+) (New & Grande Course) (Turf) (4yo+) 2m4f
Quite a few of these will need to raise their game if they are to take Group One honours so it may pay to side with COLTRANE (11/4), who likely has less to find at this level than his rivals.
Andrew Balding’s charge has been running well at a lower grade, scoring in a Listed contest at Sandown back in July prior to posting a creditable fifth in the Doncaster Cup behind Sweet William and finishing ahead of both reopposing Tashkhan and Sunway.
The Mastercraftsman gelding was only beaten two lengths by Kyprios in this contest twelve months ago and it is interesting that blinkers are reapplied for this latest outing as opposed to regular cheekpieces. He wore blinkers in his run here last year and the harsher headgear being refitted could spark him into finishing closer.
2:50 Longchamp – Arqana Series – Haras de Bouquetot Criterium d’Automne (Conditions) (2yo) (Grande Course) (Turf) (2yo) 1m
This is a tough puzzle to unravel with a lot of potential on show; it might be worth chancing on CAPE ORATOR (SP), who wasn’t disgraced when thwarted in his hat-trick bid in the Group Two Champagne Stakes at Doncaster last month.
Ralph Beckett’s charge had shown progressive form previously, stepping up on a promising debut at Newbury to score back-to-back wins at Kempton and Deauville over shorter trips than today’s assignment. However, he wasn’t beaten far over a slightly longer trip at Doncaster and this extra yardage could unlock another level of improvement.
At Doncaster, he looked tapped for toe at a crucial stage of the race before running on well, although he had no chance with the winner. There is certainly the potential for better from the son of Mohaather, and he can make his presence felt.
3:25 Longchamp – Qatar Prix Daniel Wildenstein (Group 2) (3yo+) (Grande Course) (Turf) (3yo+) 1m
At a big price, it might be worth chancing RIDARI (8/1) to get back to winning ways, and the course and distance winner can go close for Mikel Delzangles.
The Churchill colt won the Group Three Prix de Fontainebleau earlier in the campaign, and although he’s been without a win since, he has run creditably in defeat, including latest in the Prix Jacques Le Maroi,s where he was better than his finishing position suggests.
He finished eighth in that last outing, but he was only beaten by around four lengths in what was a strong renewal of that race. The runner-up boosted the form next time out and he doesn’t have much to find on the book with reopposing Quddwah, who beat him two starts ago.
His sixth in the French Derby reads well, and a repeat of that performance would put him in the mix. It wouldn’t be the biggest shock to see him competitive here and he can go well.
4:00 Longchamp – Qatar Prix de Royallieu (Group 1) (3yo+ Fillies & Mares) (Grande Course) (Turf) (3yo+) 1m6f
BEDTIME STORY (9/2) has yet to taste success this term, but the Frankel filly has been running well in defeat at this level, and Aidan O’Brien’s charge can get off the mark for the campaign now.
A four-time winner last term, she steps up in trip on the back of a hugely encouraging third in the Prix Vermeille here last month, beaten just over three lengths having been held up and arguably given too much to do.
To be fair to her, she did rather fluff her lines at the start, which could have contributed to her run; but she made up a decent amount of ground in the latter stages of the race, and perhaps this longer trip can show her in better light despite not being an obvious sort to do so on breeding.
4:35 Longchamp – Qatar Prix Dollar (Group 2) (3yo+) (Grande Course: 2nd Post) (Turf) (3yo+) 1m2f
BAY CITY ROLLER (4/1) was a Group Two winner as a juvenile, and while George Scott’s charge is 0-4 this term, the New Bay colt can open his account here.
He has finished runner-up in three of his four starts this term, two of which came in France at Saint Cloud and here latest when denied only by a short-head in the Prix Niel. That did come over a longer trip, but he’s shown this distance to be no issue having gone close over the trip three runs ago in the Group Two Prix Eugene Adam.
He may just have run out of steam last time out as he was collared close home, having gone to the front two furlongs out, and it may be the lesser yardage here will suit. He can make his presence felt again and no surprise if he were to come out on top now.
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