The two-day Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe meeting kicks off on Saturday and there are two Group 1 races on the card, including the Prix du Cadran, where the mighty stayer Kyprios returns.
Aidan O’Brien also runs St Leger runner-up in a Group 2 on the card and there’s plenty of British and Irish interest in the Group 1 Prix de Royallieu.
We’ve had a good look at the card and have picked out our three strongest selections, which include one at a fair price in the second of the Day’s Group 1 contests.
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Saturday’s tips
12.23 Longchamp – Columbus @ 8/1
1.33 Longchamp – Kyprios @ 3/10
4.00 Longchamp – Lily Hart @ 12/1
12.23 Longchamp – Columbus
St Leger runner-up Illinois lines up in the Group 2 Prix Chaudenay over 1m7f but an alarming number of second-place finishes means Aidan O’Brien’s colt could be worth taking on at the prices.
Christophe Ferland’s runner COLUMBUS is progressing nicely and he looks ready for a step up in grade. He showed a fine attitude to come out on top in a Group 3 race over course and distance last time out and his profile suggests he can improve again.
He was particularly strong at the finish that day and the softer ground shouldn’t be a problem. Columbus possesses plenty of stamina and might just be able to out-battle Irish raider Illinois.
There was plenty to like about his third behind Prix du Jockey Club winner and Arc contender Look De Vega over 1m2f as well, so he is unlikely to be lacking for pace either. If there is one horse in the field who can get the better of the favourite, it could be him.
1.33 Longchamp – Kyprios
There is probably not a price at which KYPRIOS isn’t an attractive proposition on Saturday. This horse is probably the best stayer we have seen since Yeats and he is unbeaten in five starts this season. While there are no thrills about the price, a winner is a winner and it will be a massive shock if he is turned over.
The son of Galileo won this race by 20 lengths last year despite drifting violently over to the nearside rail. He is definitely more streetwise now and if he turns up in similar form, the race is likely to be over with four furlongs to go.
Aidan O’Brien’s star stayer has been in imperious form this season and was particularly impressive at Goodwood on his penultimate start. Made to fight for it in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, he showed the requisite attitude to come out on top.
France is represented only by Double Major on Saturday and the three British raiders are nowhere near Kyprios’s level. Ferland’s runner is likely to get closest to the favourite but is unlikely to be anywhere near good enough.
4.00 Longchamp – Lily Hart
The second of the card’s two Group 1 contests, the Prix de Royallieu looks like a competitive affair lacking a standout contender. Aidan O’Brien runs three in the race and the Yutaka Take-ridden LILY HART is going the right way.
She made virtually all the running when scoring narrowly in a Listed race over course and distance under Christophe Soumillon last time out and should improve again on this occasion.
It was a fine performance from the three-year-old when getting off the mark by six and a half lengths in a Down Royal maiden in June and she has been slowly finding her way in Group 3 and Listed company since.
Ryan Moore has decided against riding her on Saturday, which could prove to be a mistake, and she can make the frame at the very least.
*all odds correct at time of writing and subject to change
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