Jordan Yates' Arc Preview. (07/10/2018)

Sunday 7th October 2018

Its that time of year again where we find ourselves deep into the second half of the season and that of course means it time to look forward to one of the best races on the planet which is none other than the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe which is now situated back at Longchamp. Or as it's now known "ParisLongchamp". It's a race that always sparks a lot of debate throughout the Flat season and that's been no different this time around with the market principles constantly changing around at the head affairs throughout the season. However it's last year's winner Enable who has cemented herself as the market leader in recent weeks following her dominant display in her belated seasonal reappearance at Kempton where she dismantled the very smart Crystal Ocean of Sir Michael Stoute in a Group 3 contest. She showed all the signs that day that all of her ability from last season was well and truly still in tact and that a bold attempt of retaining her crown is on the cards. This shows in her price of Even money and she's also got the benefit of a handy draw in six. The partnership with Frankie Dettori will once again be renewed. It's another UK raider that follows Enable in the market and horse that needs no introduction from me and that of course comes in the form of the William Haggas trained Sea Of Class, who's developed herself as my favourite horse of the current Flat season, much like Enable did last year. She's took everything before her so far this campaign culminating in a very impressive success in the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks the last day and it'd be no surprise to see her take the step up again here. Her sire the great Sea The Stars won this back in 2009 in the same colours and she'll be trying to replicate that with the same coming from the back style of running. James Doyle is once again on board and he'll have to show the top class form he's shown all season to master what looks to be a difficult draw in 15.

Another horse that looks to have somewhat of a difficult draw out in 13 is a horse that i'm also a huge fan of and that's Andre Fabre's Waldgeist, who comes here in fine form and off the back of a very dominant success here in Group 2 company the last day. He looks sure to be the strongest of the home challenges and has come on markedly this season and the win here the last day showed that's he's very much a big player in this. Pierre Charles Boudot will be taking the ride and he looks a very solid 8/1 chance. This year's St Leger winner Kew Gardens will take his place in the field and heads the Ballydoyle raiders, he's also a horse that comes here having come on a great deal this campaign and showed that with an impressive staying display in the Group 1 classic at Doncaster the last day. He's Ryan Moore's mount and can be found trading at a general 10/1 mark. Aidan O'Brien has several representatives here as could be expected and these come in the form of last year's St Leger winner Capri (33/1), Magical (50/1), Hunting Horn (66/1) and the likely pacemaker Nelson at a general 200/1.

Study Of Man comes here looking to recapture the form of his win in the Prix du Jockey Club after a somewhat lackluster display in the Irish Champion Stakes the last day. He's a general 25/1 and has the services of Stephane Pasquier. Last year's runner up Cloth Of Stars once again represents the maestro that is Andre Fabre and he's once again a big price but hasn't quite had as good as a season as he did coming to this last year, he often flatters to deceive but is certainly a very smart performer on a going day and can be found at 40/1 with Vincent Cheminaud taking the ride. Stablemate to Cloth Of Stars and another horse carrying the famous Godolphin silks is Talismanic, a lot like his stablemate he's a very smart performer on his day in his own right but does need things to fall right for him. He was last seen when getting comfortably beaten in the Prix Foy by Waldgeist and he'll certainly need to step up massively here. The Roger Varian trained Defoe is a horse ive always been a big fan of, however he's been set a far from easy task out in stall 18. He was last seen when finishing a neck second in Group 1 company in Germany which means he's now 0 from 3 when attempting Group 1 company. He's a general 50/1 chance in the betting and is the mount of Andrea Atzeni. Alongside him in the market is the Japanese raider Clincher who needs to step up markedly from his run here the last day when finishing last behind Waldgeist. Sylvester Kirk's Salouen ran Cracksman close earlier in the season in Group 1 company at Epsom and will need to rediscover that form should he have any chance here. Oisin Murphy takes the ride and he's a general 100/1 chance.

VERDICT:

A race that so often throws up many a hard luck story and it will almost certainly throw up a good few more in this year's renewal. Enable if turning up in the same form as last season and getting a clear run will win however she's a shade of odds on now in some places. I've actually backed two in the race and regular followers of this page won't be surprised at all that I've gone with a couple of horses that are my favourites and the first of these is SEA OF CLASS. I actually backed her a while ago for this, A horse that many know ive fallen in love with this year and despite her wide draw Im still hopeful of a big run under a jockey who's been fantastic this year in James Doyle. My other bet in the race comes in the form of Andre Fabre's WALDGEIST. Another horse im a huge fan of and have enjoyed watching progress this year. Like Sea Of Class he'll have to overcome a draw that's not ideal however im sure Boudot himself will have a handy plan in store.