15:05
Longchamp
Odds correct as of 10:21am 03rd Oct
Longchamp hosts Europe’s most valuable horse race on Sunday, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, and their excellent card also features another four Group 1 events. We’re going to take a comprehensive look at the Arc, including a preview, best bet and a potentially overpriced outsider. Take a look at our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.
This year’s Arc looks like a cracking race and there’s a strong British and Irish challenge. The home team’s squad is led by 2025 winner Daryz and he will have plenty of supporters. Francis-Henri Graffard’s four-year-old has won two Group 1s already this term and is a worthy favourite here.
Kalpana looks better than ever this year and the King George heroine got the better of Calandagan when winning at Ascot. She was well beaten in this race last year however. Maltese Cross is well fancied by many but we’re yet to see any clear evidence that he’s a top-level Group 1 performer.
Thundering On bolted up in the Oaks at Epsom and bounced back from a poor run in the Pretty Polly to win a Group 2 at the Curragh last time. Don’t rule out a big run from here. The Progressive Varandir remains lightly raced and the best is yet to come from him.
Diamond Necklace is a very talented filly but she has her work cut out for her in stall 16, whilst Benvenuto Cellini has a good draw but looks a little out of his depth. Minnie Hauk was a valiant second in this race last year but her form has dropped off considerably this term.
It’s difficult to look past Daryz here and he looks well set to become the first two-time Arc winner since Treve. He began the campaign with back-to-back victories in Group 1s here, before a slightly below-par effort behind Ombudsman in the Prince Of Wales but bounced back to win the Prix Foy last time.
Minnie Hauk has been disappointing this term but her narrow second in this race last year is very good form and she’s overpriced on that evidence. There were signs of a return to form in the Yorkshire Oaks last term and if back to her best here, she has the ability to run a big race.