The horse racing broadcaster provides his runner-by-runner guide for the big race in Paris and picks his top four.
The 2024 Prix De L’Arc De Triomphe dominates racing today and is part of five races on ITV on Sunday. Below is a runner by runner guide to Europe’s best middle distance race due off at 3.20.
ZARAKEM – Unable to back up big price Royal Ascot 2nd to Auguste Rodin at York. Versatile as regards ground and has stall 1 but hard to see him playing any sort of part. *
HAYA ZARK – Consistent this season and the more rain the better. Had quite a few of the field behind when a surprise winner of the Ganay but well beaten in this last year. **
FANTASTIC MOON – German horses often go off over the odds but in this case his two runs outside his homeland have been poor both in this last yea and in the Ganay behind Haya Zark. *
AL RIFFA – Unexposed at 12f and chased home both City of Troy in the Eclipse and last year’s Arc winner Ace impact in France last year. Another to be beaten in the Ganay. ***
SEVENNA’S KNIGHT – Nearly all his form is over further and had to see him having the gears for this. *
CONTINUOUS – Ran well in the race last season when 5th in what looked a stronger renewal. Not been at that level this season and may have to work to get over from stall 14. **
BLUESTOCKING – Supplemented for the race and looks likely to have her favoured soft ground. More of a grinder than a quickener but genuine and has place chances. ****
MQSE DE SEVIGNE – Been well placed to win all four of her starts this season when never going off bigger than 6-4. This is tougher and is also her fist start t 1m 4f. **
LOOK DE VEGA – French Derby winner who was absent since then before being beaten on his return in the Niel. His trainer reported him to have needed the outing that day and has reportedly worked very well since. Handles soft and a leading player. ****
SHIN EMPEROR – Bidding to finally give Japan an Arc winner after an excellent 3rd to Economics in the Irish Champion stakes but is a big query of soft ground and has a tricky gate in 11. **
SUNWAY – Met trouble in the French Derby and bumped in the Leger but just seems to lack the tactical speed to take the gaps when they present themselves. ***
DELIUS – Split Sosie and Look De Vega in the Niel and has improved steadily throughout his career. Nicely drawn in stall 7 and can make the frame. ****
SOSIE – French Derby 3rd who has improved since stepping up to 1m 4f winning the Grand Prix De Paris and the Niel. Well drawn the and the one to beat. *****
LOS ANGELES – Winner of the Irish Derby (from Sunway) and closely matched with Shin Emperor on their Irish Champion run. Good looking individual and the choice of Ryan Moore. On lines though Illinois and Sunway may need just a bit more improvement to win. ***
SERVIE – Her 2nd in the French Oaks remains a stand out and she was well behind Bluestocking in the Vermeille. A lot to find. *
AVENTURE – Career best in the Vermeille behind Bluestocking but has only raced against he own sex and this looks a good deal tougher again. **
This looks at the mercy of the younger generation with the French form of Sosie and Look De Vega looking the most solid. Sosie gets the nod because of his improvement since trying 1m 4f and his defeat of Look De Vega in the Niel but the latte will improve for the run and remains his chief opponent. Delius and Bluestocking head up the place getters.
Selections
1. Sosie
2. Look De Vega
3. Delius
4. Bluestocking
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