1m Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac – Criterium des Pouliches (Group 1) (2yo Fillies) (Grande Course) (Turf) (2yo)
I can’t get away from the favourite KELINA here as she’s shown star quality to win on both starts to date. She hasn’t just won, she’s bolted up – and the fact she’s by supersire Frankel makes the hype very believable. Her maiden win produced six next time out winners so all points to it being strong form.
1pt win Kelina @7/2, 13:50 Longchamp, Sunday
1m4f Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Group 1) (3yo+ No Geldings) (Grande Course) (Turf) (3yo+)
With a maximum field there will be hard luck stories and I can’t fancy anything at single-figure prices. I whittled my shortlist down to the three-year-olds Luxembourg – who is too short a price – ONESTO and AL HAKEEM. The last named two ran near identical races from wide draws in the French Derby with the Al Hakeem coming out on top. Onesto has gone on to win the Grand Prix de Paris – strong form that’s produced the St Leger and Prix Niel winners – and place an excellent second behind Luxembourg in the Irish Champion Stakes where he reversed form with Vadeni. For that reason he’s earned a loftier rating than Al Hakeem but I doubt there’s much between these two and both merit full respect. Al Hakeem won an easy Group Two at Deauville under hands and heels and comes in totally unexposed. His sire-damsire combination won the Arc two seasons ago for the same trainer and he’s fared really well with the draw being in stall four. You can’t fancy one and not the other so I’m backing both at nice prices.
1pt win Onesto @12/1, 15:05 Longchamp, Sunday
1pt win Al Hakeem @25/1, 15:05 Longchamp, Sunday
7f Qatar Prix de la Foret Presente par Education Above All (Group 1) (3yo+) (New Course) (Turf) (3yo+)
It’s been clear all year that TENEBRISM doesn’t stay a mile – her two Group One successes coming at 6f and 7f. The 7f Foret looks an ideal race for her and she’s been drawn well in stall one. The admirable Kinross has everything in his favour and is the 7f form horse this season but he has to concede 6lb to Aidan O’Brien’s filly who is twice the price and has always threatened to be very good back down in trip. We know she handles soft ground – although it could be very heavy by the time this race runs – and there are few negatives.
1pt win Tenebrism @9/2, 17:00 Longchamp, Sunday
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