1m4f Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Group 1) (3yo+ No Geldings) (Grande Course) (Turf) (3yo+)
Not a vintage renewal. Ace Impact looks great and is the one horse that can win and make the race look a good one in hindsight, but he’s a bit keen and hasn’t proven his stamina, which isn’t at all factored into his price. I’ve backed Hukum antepost and would love him to win but a wide draw, fast ground and complete lack of any obvious pace in the race is all against him so I’ve gone cold on him. FEED THE FLAME has been fairly fortunate with the draw (stall two) and Christophe Soumillon was quoted saying they’re going to make better use of it and try and ride him more prominently this time. He’s been dropped in on all his career starts to finish with his signature kick, and I’m confident he can reverse form with the keen going Fantastic Moon, who hasn’t fared too well with the draw. Feed The Flame ticks most the major boxes required to win an Arc. He’s proven at the trip, races very professionally and is capable of running fast closing sectionals. The three-year-old weight allowance is a bonus and we know how much he loves Longchamp. The only negative really is if the ground got really quick, but Timeform called his Grand Prix de Paris win ‘good’ whereas he bolted up in his maiden on ground they described as ‘good-to-firm’ – so I think that’s nonsense! It’s a very competitive betting heat and I’m not really interested in backing anything each-way as, truthfully, I can see almost all of the runners capable of a top four finish.
1pt win Feed The Flame @10/1, 15:05 Longchamp, Sunday
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