Day two of Longchamp’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Festival meeting boasts an unmissable afternoon of top-class horse racing action where in addition to the eponymously-named feature race – one of the world’s most prestigious and valuable contests – there are a further five Group One races for punters to unravel.
TV racing fans can catch the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe live on ITV Racing, with the broadcaster showing four races from the Paris track; meanwhile, we assess Sunday’s Longchamp major races.
Sunday’s Longchamp Tips
| Race | Tip |
| 12:40 Longchamp | GREEN SPIRIT (15/8) |
| 1:15 Longchamp | A BIT OF SPIRIT (8/1) |
| 1:50 Longchamp | SKY MAJESTY (14/1) |
| 3:05 Longchamp | SOSIE (9/1) |
| 3:50 Longchamp | BARNAVARA (10/1) |
| 4:25 Longchamp | ZARIGANA (11/2) |
PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE TIPS – RACE-BY-RACE PREVIEW
12:40 Longchamp – Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac – Criterium des Pouliches (Group 1) (2yo Fillies) (Grande Course) (Turf) (2yo) 1m
Unbeaten GREEN SPIRIT (15/8) can extend her winning run to five and the Kingman filly could prove a tough nut to crack.
Christopher Head’s charge has improved with every start, most recently taking a Group Two over C&D last month, beating Narissa by just over one length readily. That win came despite the filly running a shade free early and then suffering a bump late on.
She won well despite those mishaps while hinting that there was still further improvement to come. The form may not prove top-class, however, but a repeat of that performance might well be enough to see her going in again.
1:15 Longchamp – Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Group 1) (2yo Colts & Fillies) (New Course) (Turf) (2yo) 7f
A BIT OF SPIRIT (8/1) produced a really gutsy effort to win the Group Three Solario Stakes at Sandown back in August and it might be worth chancing Clive Cox’s charge to strike again upped in class.
The Palace Pier colt had won his first two starts prior to finishing runner-up on his next two outings in Listed company. However, he stepped up on those efforts when grinding out a nose verdict over Humidity on his first crack at Group company, digging deep for the verdict, having been narrowly headed late on.
He set out to make all that day, and he’ll find this harder to dominate; but the form of that Sandown race is working out and with the potential for better still, he can make his presence felt again at a bigger price for all he will certainly need to raise his game at this higher level.
1:50 Longchamp – Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp Longines (Group 1) (2yo+) (Sprint Course) (Turf) (2yo+) 5f
SKY MAJESTY (14/1) wasn’t disgraced when only finishing eighth behind Big Mojo in the Haydock Sprint Cup last month, and William Haggas’ charge can quickly bounce back.
Unbeaten last term, including in a Group Two at Chantilly, the Blue Point filly has been running well this term, scoring a brace at Naas over six furlongs prior to her most recent Haydock performance, where she wasn’t seen to best effect, having been slow into her stride before meeting with some trouble in running.
That run can be forgiven, and she can be competitive here if the shorter trip doesn’t prove an inconvenience, given she’s done all her racing over six furlongs.
3:05 Longchamp – Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Group 1) (3yo+ No Geldings) (Grande Course) (Turf) (3yo+) 1m4f
SOSIE (9/1) was sent off favourite for this race twelve months ago and the Sea The Stars colt turned in a solid performance to finish fourth behind Bluestocking; Andre Fabre’s charge can finish closer this time around. It wouldn’t come as a huge shock to see him come home in front.
A winner of his first two runs of the campaign in the Prix Ganay and Prix d’Ispahan – both here – he was disappointing at Sandown in the Coral Eclipse, where he likely found the ground far too quick for him. He bounced back following a short break to find only Byzantine Dream too strong upped to this trip last month in the Prix Foy.
The break had perhaps taken a little off him and he’ll be straighter for the outing, while conditions ought not to prove an issue even though more rain would likely increase his chances. He probably does need to improve a touch to better last season’s fourth, but he arrives in good heart and is proven at this level so he’s worth chancing to go close.
3:50 Longchamp – Prix de l’Opera Longines (Group 1) (3yo+ Fillies & Mares) (Grande Course) (Turf) (3yo+) 1m2f
BARNAVARA (10/1) might be the answer to a tricky puzzle and Jessica Harrington’s charge isn’t without a chance in this Group One contest as the Calyx filly arrives in good heart.
She’s proven herself to be a very useful yardstick this campaign, winning twice during the summer months at Navan and Naas respectively, the latter in a Group Three over this trip and following a short break, she returned to post a very creditable third of seven behind Red Letter in a Group Three at the Curragh.
However, she left previous form behind when winning the Group Two Blandford Stakes back at the Curragh latest, readily scoring from One Look, having made all and seeing things out well from the front, where she kept finding.
It will be more difficult to dominate this field from the front, but she’s an improving sort who might have better yet to offer and she can continue her good form with another solid run here.
4:25 Longchamp – Qatar Prix de la Foret (Group 1) (3yo+) (New Course) (Turf) (3yo+) 7f
ZARIGANA (11/2) has been kept fresh for this by trainer Francois-Henri Graffard and that decision can pay dividends for the Siyouni filly, who can regain winning ways.
Twice a winner last term, she was only beaten by Vertical Blue in the Prix Marcel Boussac on this card twelve months ago, losing her unbeaten record in the process. She’s bounced back this term, however, scoring twice over one mile here, including the French 1000 Guineas, where she saw off Shes Perfect by a head, having earlier also beaten that rival in the Prix de la Grotte.
Quicker ground might have contributed to her defeat behind Cercene in the Group One Coronation Stakes, although she did look awkward under pressure late on, having travelled well into the race, and she found less than looked likely. However, back on a softer surface, she remains capable of better.
The drop in trip is a slight concern, but she travels well in her races and a strong pace will help so it wouldn’t come as a huge shock if she were to make her presence felt again here.
Bookies Sign-up Offers for Arc Day
