Arc de Triomphe day tips October 2
20 of the world's finest flat racers will enter the stalls at Longchamp on Sunday. The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is one of six Group One races to be run on that day.
Shartash is the one I like most in the weak renewal of the Lagardere. Johnny Murtagh stepped Shartashes up to seven furlongs for the first time in National Stakes and Ben Coen's mount ran well.
There is a strong field for Prix Marcel Boussac. Never Ending Story and Aspen Grove fly the flag for Ireland. British contenders Breege and Dandy Alys make up a truly international field. I'm going to take a punt on the German raider, HABANA.
The Prix de l'Opera is a renewal of the previous two renewals. The form lines from the Oaks, Prix De Diane and the Prix Saint-Alary will come together. A wide draw is negative for Nashwa and La Parisienne. Tuesday has a tricky draw in stall 16. Above The Curve has been placed kindly in stalls five and six. Joseph O'Brien's filly could claim her second Group One win on French soil.
The Platinum Queen will try to become the first two-year-old to win the Abbaye since Freddy Head struck with Sigy in 1978. Battaash is the only favourite to have won the race in the last 15 years. Mooniesta will improve for her Flying Five start. Last year's fourth, MO CELITA, is a good bet.
Tenebrism is a one-year-old daughter of Immortal Verse. Aidan O'Brien has run her over a mile twice before. Tenebrita won the Prix Jean Prat in her only previous start over seven furlongs.
