It’s Europe’s premier race, full of legends and history. Who will write their name into the annals of the great Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. There’s also some great competitive Group One’s in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagadere, Prix de l’Opera and Prix la Foret.
Redemption Masterpiece
1:30 – Prix Jean-Luc Lagadere (GROUP ONE) – Henri Matisse @ 3/1 (William Hill)
It may have been a shock in the Vincent O’Brien National Stakes, but Henri Matisse had his excuses. He leaned to both the left and right and ran around, confirmed post-race. Now he has first time blinkers on, which is a big positive. He achieved Group Two success in the Futurity back in August and has always looked like one of the premier Aidan O’Brien colts. Ryan Moore has already achieved a treble at Longchamp, with O’Brien with four big wins, and Henri Matisse can continue the trend.
Olympic Champion
3:20 – Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (GROUP ONE) – Los Angeles @ 5/1 (General)
I’ve racked my brains over this Group One, and I’m still unsure at time of writing. However, I believe I’ve come down on three with big chances.
One of them is Los Angeles. He’s been very consistent over a mile and a half, but wasn’t ready for the Irish Champion Stakes. This looks to have been in the list of targets after his win in the Irish Derby. He also has form with Illinois, who won yesterday at Longchamp, after he only lost by a neck in the Great Voltigeur. He can be very competitive for the in-form yard.
Aventure has also been consistent back in France. She only finished a length down in the Prix de Diane back in June before achieving Group Two success in the Prix de Pomone. Finishing three-quarters of a length down last time out in the Prix Vermeille, she can bid to follow in the footsteps of the great mares who have won this race. 20/1 (William Hill, Boylesports).
Continuous has been severely underestimated in my opinion. We saw an O’Brien second string win the feature yesterday, and Continuous won’t go in to be a pacemaker. The former St Leger winner hasn’t had the best of seasons, with his only victory coming over 10 furlongs. But he was a good fifth in last year’s renewal and will love both the ground and trip and has proven to outstay some in this field. 28/1 (William Hill).
The Wrong Choice?
4:05 – Prix de l’Opera (GROUP ONE) – Content @ 11/2 (General)
I think that Ryan Moore may have made the wrong choice in this race. Ylang Ylang hasn’t placed at all this season and best performances have come over a mile. Content is more proven at the middle distance after finishing second in the Irish Oaks, then winning the Yorkshire Oaks. The soft ground and step down in trip puts her over the edge of her favoured stablemate for me.
At a price Hanalia looks attractive for Johnny Murtagh. She was outclassed in her only Group One start, the Irish Oaks, but was a good winner on Irish Champions Weekend in the Blandford Stakes. She can handle the trip, but ground could be a question. However she is unexposed in that department and has credentials to run a place. 14/1 (BetVictor).
Un Pour France
4:40 – Prix La Foret (GROUP ONE) – Ramatuelle @ 3/1 (General)
Ramatuelle has had a long layoff and a slight step down in trip today, may be the difference. She was narrowly beaten in the 1000 Guineas, which the form has been electric all season (and Tamfana finally got her win yesterday). In her native France she’ll be used to the quirks with the ground, and the French can walk away from Arc weekend with their heads held high.
The very best of luck!
