Sunday 6th October 2024
12.55 Longchamp: Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac: We kick things off on Arc Day with the 12.55 which is the Marcel Boussac over a mile. I’m siding with Simmering in this for Ollie Sangster and Dylan Browne McMonagle. She won a Group 2 at Deauville on his penultimate start by three lengths, with that success coming on soft ground, and most recently finished a length second to the very talented Lake Victoria. This is very solid form and I think she’s a solid each-way play. Simmering – 7/1 (Each-Way)
1.30 Longchamp: Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere: Next up it’s the Jean-Luc Lagardere which is contested over a distance of seven furlongs. I’m going with Misunderstood here for Mario Baratti and Alexis Pouchin. He’s won both of his starts to date with his most recent success coming here in Group 3 company last month when bolting up by four and a half lengths. The latest success came over a mile, but I think he could prove tough to catch if he gets away on the lead. Misunderstood – 13/2 (Each-Way)
2.05 Longchamp: Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp Longines: The third race of the afternoon is the Prix de l’Abbaye which is an extremely competitive Group 1 over five furlongs. I’m taking a chance on No Half Measures in this year’s renewal for Richard Hughes and Oisin Murphy. You normally look for low numbers in the draw here, however, Highfield Princess won it last year out of double digits and I think this is a progressive sort. She beat Relief Rally on testing ground in a Group 3 at Newbury last time out and if getting some luck in the run here can post another very bold effort. No Half Measures – 7/1 (Each-Way)
3.20 Longchamp: Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe: The feature race of the day comes up at 3.20 which is the Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. One of the highlights of the flat season calendar and in this year’s contest I like Sosie who represents Andre Fabre and Maxim Guyon. She beat Illinois by two lengths on her penultimate start here in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris and I think she could well continue to progress at the highest level over this distance. Most recently, she won the Prix Neil here on soft ground and for me she’s the one they have to beat. Sosie – 5/1 (Each-Way) (NAP)
4.05 Longchamp: Prix de l’Opera Longines: The Group 1s keep coming after the big one and at 4.20 it’s the Prix de l’Opera over a mile and two furlongs. I’ve sided with Ylang Ylang in this Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. She’s been quite underwhelming this season, however, she posted an encouraging effort last time out when staying over a mile in the Group 1 Matron Stakes to finish a length and a half behind Porta Fortuna. That suggests that this step up in trip could suit and I think she could bounce back to form here. Ylang Ylang – 4/1 (Win)
4.40 Longchamp: Qatar Prix de la Foret: Signing me off for the day will be the 4.40 which is the Group 1 Prix de la Forest over seven furlongs. It’s possibly a bit of heart over head here for me, however, it has to be Kinross for Ralph Beckett and Rossa Ryan. He bounced back to his best last time out at Doncaster when taking the Group 2 Park Stakes and his yard are in fantastic form currently. He won the race in 2022 and was arguably unlucky not to follow up last year when second. Kinross – 11/4 (Win) (NB)
