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| Just A Way could be the answer to a tricky Arc renewal |
13:00 - Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp - 5f (Group 1)
Some will say this looks like the perfect opportunity for Sole Power to get his head back in front, as the legendary sprinter looks for his first win in the Abbaye. Having been beaten in this race three times over the years, it could be said that his time is coming, and with wins in the King's Stand Stakes and the Nunthorpe to his name already this year, that time could very well be now. There is tough competition though, in the form of last year's winner Maarek and the unexposed Cotai Glory. The latter looked a runaway winner of a group 2 at Doncaster last time out when dramatically swerving right and unseating George Baker yards from the finish line. Trainer Charlie Hills has installed confidence in the horse, and should he have put that experience to the back of his mind, should be bang there at the finish.
Selection - Cotai Glory
Danger - Sole Power
13:35 - Prix Marcel Boussac - 1m (Fillies' Group 1)
The girls get their chance to shine here, and if going by the way the market is sitting, it looks to be a match race between Found and Ervedya. The former gets the vote due to her significant improvement last time up, when building on a maiden win by going close in the Moyglare Stud Stakes when finishing third. Being a member of the powerful O'Brien stable, her progress shouldn't stop there and she is taken to pick up the prize. Ervedya is the obvious danger, as she was met with trouble in running when she was beaten for the first time in her last race. Nothing to suggest her unbeaten record would definitely have been preserved even with a clearer run, but she'll surely get closer this time around.
Selection - Found
Danger - Ervedya
14:10 - Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere - 7f (Group 1)
An interesting renewal of this race should see The Wow Signal take his record to 4 from 4. Having been an impressive winner of the Coventry at Royal Ascot, he went on to win the Morny in decisive fashion and the step up in trip now can only be a positive. Gleneagles has gone from strength to strength for Aiden O'Brien this season, but will likely be undone by the ground, as he is highly unlikely to get the fast ground that he prefers. This could open the door for Full Mast to be the main danger to the selection, who, like The Wow Factor, boasts an unbeaten record.
Selection - The Wow Factor
Danger - Full Mast
14:45 - Prix de l'Opera - 1m 2f (Fillies' Group 1)
The second filly exclusive event of the day could well be the chance for Dermot Weld's Tarfasha to finally build on her creditable second to Taghrooda in the Investic Oaks earlier in the season. After a flat run in the Irish Oaks, she looked to be well back on track when impressing back in group 2 company last time out. If arriving here in the same mood, it'll take a lot to beat her. John Gosden knows how to prepare them, and Sultanina could well be the danger, after winning the Nassau earlier in the season before failing to stay over the longer trip last time out. The return to 10 furlongs should suit and will likely be involved at the business end.
Selection - Tarfasha
Danger - Sultanina
15:30 - PRIX DE L'ARC DE TRIOMPHE 1M 4F (GROUP 1)
Hard to believe that on a card that involves so many group 1 races, that it would be possible to have a feature race, but this is truly the main event of the day. An international cast lines up for one of the most sought after prizes in racing. Last year's awe-inspiring winner Treve will be looking to recapture that form after a highly disappointing season so far, and Kingston Hill should be in fine order after showing his incredible staying ability when landing the St. Leger a couple of weeks ago, and should he defy the widest draw of all, there's every chance the punishing Longchamp track will suit him down to a tee. Like the latter, Taghrooda must overcome a murder draw here, and even if back to her best after a shocking reverse at the hands of Tapestry (who was the sole supplementation for this race during the week), this may be a level too high for her. Ectot should have a big say after a terrific campaign, while Ruler of the World was back to his best when an all the way winner under Frankie Dettori last time out, who again takes the reigns. The biggest threat though, is in the form of Just A Way. The Japanese raider was an awesome winner of the Dubai Duty Free over 9 furlongs at the start of the season when destroying a handy field by 6 and a half lengths, and went on to win with a storming late run dropped even further back in trip upon his return to Japan. The way he won at Meydan that day suggested that there should be no issue with the trip and he is taken to end the run of bad luck for the Japanese in the Arc.
Selection - Just A Way
Danger - Kingston Hill
16:50 - Prix de la Foret - 7f (Group 1)
After the dramatic success of the superstar Moonlight Cloud in this very race last year, hopefully this renewal will be slightly more straightforward. The likely one in the race is Olympic Glory, who was impressive when winning the QEII last year and was a handy third behind the now retired Kingman latest. That win at Ascot came on soft ground, and with the risk of rain threatening the currently good ground at Longchamp, it's likely that conditions may suit him even slightly better compared to a couple of others. Gordon Lord Byron won this race two years ago and has posted some good form this season, finishing second in the July Cup before being turned out quickly to finish third over a mile back in Ireland. If coming from those races well, there's every chance he'll be involved here. Aljamaheer has been a heartbreaker but at the top of his game, he must enter calculations, and this season's French 2000 Guineas winner Karakontie will be looking to get back on track after failing to see out the 10 furlongs of the French Derby last time out.
Selection - Olympic Glory
Danger - Karakontie
17:20 - Prix du Cadran - 2m 4f (Group 1)
In the last group 1 of the day, the stayers get the chance to strut thier stuff in what will be a grueling battle. Pale Mimosa must be fancied, coming into the race in fine form, but she isn't guaranteed to stay, and that may set up the race for High Jinx and Whiplash Willie. The former has found form again recently and will likely be prominent at the business end, but preference is for the latter, who has made the frame in each start since returning from a long layoff this season. Latest, he stayed on well over 18 furlongs to finish second to Estimate by a length and a half, and if in the same mood today, he may just outstay everything else and pick up this valuable prize.
Selection - Whiplash Willie
Danger - High Jinx
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