The excitement is building now as the best flat race of the year is nearly upon us! Make sure you read myracing’s essential guide for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe which should give you all the insight you need into Europe’s most prestigious race.
This could turn out to be one of the best renewals in many a year with a host of stars taking each other on. Godolphin will have two strong chances with Derby winner Adayar running alongside his stablemate Hurricane Lane, who himself is a quality Group 1 winner.
Aidan O’Brien has a brilliant record in the Arc and his main hope is likely to be Snowfall. She was the clear ante-post favourite for the race until she disappointed on Arc trials day. The horse shouldn’t be judged too harshly on that run as it wasn’t Frankie Dettori’s best moment in the saddle and he should have done better.
It would also be foolish to rule out the Japanese runner Chrono Genesis. The four-time Japenese Group 1 winner was only beaten a neck by Mishriff in the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan in March and John Gosden’s star won a Group 1 at York by six lengths when last seen.
So, will any of these win the Arc? I say no! There is one horse in the pack that stands above the rest.
If she runs her best race and has a clear untroubled run, Tarnawa wins the Arc, it’s that simple folks. And I would absolutely love to see the gentleman that is Dermot Weld win the race this year too. He deserves it.
The five-year-old Shamardal mare went unbeaten in 2020, winning three Group 1s in the process including two here at Longchamp. Course form can be a huge asset and she has that in bucketloads.
Ground won’t be a problem as she won G1s here on both heavy and good to firm last term. She rounded off her campaign last year with victory in the Breeders’ Cup Turf.
There was no disgrace in losing to St Mark’s Basilica in the Irish Champion Stakes this month. She was badly hampered by the winner who has since been retired and O’Brien went on record stating he was arguably Ballydoyle’s best ever horse. Bold statement.
Tarnawa had the perfect prep for this race and Soumillon can steer her to victory sporting the famous silks of Aga Khan.
If you back any of our selections you can watch them live on the free Racing Post app or racingpost.com. Simply log in to one of your bookmaker accounts and click ‘Watch live’ on the racecards.