Arc Day Tips

There are three National Hunt cards in Britain, but all focus will be on France where it is Arc day. The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe has been previewed elsewhere on this site, but there is plenty more in store at Longchamp. The action gets underway at 12.05 with the Prix du Cadran, in which Kasbah Bliss looks to have an excellent chance of going one better than last year. Francois Doumen’s 8-y-o is one of only two in the field proven beyond two miles and, what’s more, he also handles soft ground.

Up next is the Prix de l’Abbaye (12.35), which has usually gone to a British-trained runner in recent years, including when Totally Gallery beat Fleeting Spirit twelve months ago. That trend could well continue in 2010, too, with the two British fillies Lady of The Desert and Swiss Diva currently heading the market, though the latter, trained by David Elsworth, has been campaigned in France of late, winning her last three starts. Diadem winner Lady of The Desert has proved a revelation since reverted to sprinting and should put up a bold bid dropped to five furlongs for the first time since her juvenile days. Of those at a bigger price, Rose Blossom makes some appeal. Really soft ground is an unknown with her, but she’s one of the fastest fillies around and could take some pegging back.

Aidan O’Brien’s Moyglare Stud winner Misty For Me stands out on form in the Marcel Boussac (1.10), but that win was on good to firm ground and Helleborine has already proven herself in testing conditions, taking the Prix d’Aumale at Longchamp by five lengths last time. Galikova is another interesting contender. This half-sister to Goldikova has won her only start so far and looks open to any amount of improvement.

The Grand Criterium (1.45) can go the way of Richard Fahey’s unbeaten Wootton Basset. He’s looked every inch a pattern performer in winning valuable sales races on his last two starts and now gets the chance to prove himself at the highest level. If he handles the ground (raced only on good or firmer) he’ll take the beating.

Goldikova showed she isn’t invincible when turned over in the Mariois last time and is worth opposing in the Prix de la Foret (2.20) on similarly testing ground, even though only a couple have realistic chances of causing an upset. The 2008 Foret winner Paco Boy is back for another go and should have no trouble with the ground, so he could be the one to side with.

Jamie Lynch has already done the hard work so far as the Arc (3.05) is concerned (read his preview here), so we’ll move on to the Prix de l’Opera (4.35), where we reckon Lily of the Valley can take her winning run to six, as while Stacelita sets a good standard, her stablemate is the one with all the potential.

Monday 4th October

It’s back down to earth on Monday, when there are Flat meetings at Pontefract, Warwick and Windsor, all of which looks pretty run-of-the-mill. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are much the same, but there will be plenty of punting opportunities along the way so come back to Betting.Betfair to see what the ’1-2-3 Team’ have picked as their best bets of the day.

Friday 8th October

As usual, the action cranks up a notch approaching the weekend, with both York and Musselburgh hosting competitive Flat cards on Friday. It’s the final meeting of the year on the Knavesmire.

Saturday 9th October

The meeting at Chepstow on Saturday signals the start of the National Hunt season proper, so expect to see champion trainer Paul Nicholls have his team firing on all cylinders. The Ditcheat handler, who sent out Tito Bustillo and Gullible Gordon to win at the corresponding meeting at the Welsh track last year, has been signed up exclusively by Betfair and will give his views on his weekend runners right here on Betting.Betfair.