Meandre to get there

Pleasant day was had at a balmy Longchamp yesterday. Everything that was expected and more! Most pertinent lesson learnt was the influence of le Draw with French Navy never landing a blow from his outside berth. According to official sources the ground was good, but it appeared pretty quick to this eye.

And so, to the main event itself, the Prix De L'Arc. Highly competitive and without an obvious favourite, this year's renewal presents a difficult puzzle. Recent trends and stats suggest, we ought to be looking for a three year old drawn low. Reliable Man fits the bill but there is a strong doubt about his ability to act on the going. That leads us to his adversary, Meandre who showed his liking for the track and conditions in the Grand Prix de Paris. One can excuse his last performance in the Niel and one can reasonably expect master trainer Andre Fabre to have him in peak condition (a la Byword on Sat) this afternoon, particularly after forking out €100K in supplementary fees.

Market leaders Sarafina and So You Think demand consideration but the former needs luck in running and the latter may be undone by his starting position. Last year's victor Workforce has had an unsatisfactory season but one can be sure he will be well prepared and as he is one of this corner's favourites, he will get a second preference and won't go off unbacked.

The supporting card is of the highest standard and very much like the Freddy Head pair, Zatenda and Sofast in the juvenile contests.

bonne chance.....

Empires Strike Back

A noticeable aspect of today's King George at Ascot is the predominance (again) of the bloodstock oligarchy (Coolmore, Godolphin and Juddmonte) with the hardly penurious Rothschilds also represented. A sign of the times perhaps, but nevertheless still providing a fascinating renewal of the high summer traditional feature. The going may be the most pertinent factor and even at this stage it is still hard to predict. However, good horses should handle what will prevail this afternoon, unless it dramatically dries out.

Workforce is the highest rated and last season's Derby and Arc winner is entitled to go off favourite. Bizarrely he was available at 4/1 last weekend but the ensuing rain has come to his advantage. However his ignominious showing in this race last year casts a shadow. The prevailing wisdom suggests he was undone by the going but one wonders if the track was also a factor! How he will cope with the shortish straight and small field? A challenge undoubtedly for his very capable connections, Sir Michael (back in form) and Ryan Moore.

Rewilding was seven lengths behind Workforce at Epsom but has improved this season with a classy win at Meydan and a gutsy victory at the Royal meeting. He is certainly good enough but one feels that he had a very tough outing last time in denying So You Think and may not have recovered from those exertions.

Ballydoyle have selected St Nicholas Abbey from their crack squad of middle distance horses. Relatively low mileage and a return to a Group 1 podium in the Coronation at Epsom demonstrated his potential for this, but he still needs to improve a few pounds. The jockey booking (is Aidan O'Brien a tiger dad?) compounds one's usual suspicions over Coolmore's stallion strategies, but it is difficult to believe they are not entering the fray less than 100% prepared. The young O'Brien certainly will learn for the experience and is worth noting that in a possible tactical race, St Nicholas Abbey looks to have the sharpest turn of foot.

The progressive three year old Nathaniel completes the line up (pacemaker excepted). Albeit impressive at Royal Ascot, presumably the hefty supplementary fee was paid on the basis of soft going. At this stage, it looks as if there won't be enough rain to enable this promising colt to overcome his more experienced rivals (should run well though).

In summary, I find it difficult to desert Workforce and expect Ryan Moore to get him home with St Nicholas Abbey, the possible danger and value (3s or bigger?)

There is plenty of other racing to consider, particularly the International over 7f. The draw provides the usual quandary so picking one from either side, Bronze Prince and The Confessor.

best of luck and enjoy.....

Showdown @ Sandown

A select field for the Coral Eclipse at Sandown today with two middle distance titans, So You Think and Workforce facing off for the first time this season. It is reasonable to assume that Aidan O'Brien will have the former Aussie superstar in peak condition in a bid to recoup his reputation and losses suffered at Royal Ascot. The trip should suit, but one wonders how he will handle the track's undulations and the stiff uphill finish. Workforce made a winning seasonal return here in fine style, but may not be at his best over ten furlongs. An intriguing match up and very difficult to call, but top jockey, Ryan Moore, could be difference and at the prices, last year's Derby and Arc victor gets a tentative vote. The excellent filly, Snow Fairy adds to the race, but her long absence suggests she will be better next time.

Whilst the Eclipse dominates the day, there are a number of other interesting and competitive contests on the supporting card and at Haydock. Nothing in particular jumps out, but a close eye will be kept on Astrophysical Jet (old friend), Soorah (twice an eyecatcher), Seelo (unexposed?), Sirvino (back to form?) and Secret Witness (value?)

good luck and enjoy....

Sparse Saturday

After last weekend's feast, today's offering looks pretty meagre. Possible bets are thin on the ground and one is minded to wait for Epsom. Nevertheless, it's always hard to resist and will put Naqshabban up as today's Nap and interested in Majestic Myles for value in the Coral Sprint at Newmarket.

The week past, however has seen two of the big guns in action. I had the pleasure of See You Think winning at the Curragh and it is easily understood how the Australians are peeved at his transfer to the northern hemisphere. Last season's Arc and Derby hero Workforce made a winning return at Sandown, where he showed, that he too will be a serious player. Looking forward to seeing them match up!!

best of luck.....

Duncan to do the slaying this time ????

The highlight of the European flat season, the Prix de l'Arc augmented by a super supporting card takes place at Longchamp today. This year's renewal sees all the big guns represented in an open looking contest. Local reconnaissance reported heavy rain yesterday and suggests that the testing conditions will be the most salient factor.

Workforce is perhaps the horse with the greatest ability but one has to take his well being on trust. Currently little value but worth a bet at 10s or better. Ballydoyle send three, but hard to fancy Fame and Glory (not seen recently) and Cape Blanco (best at 10f), while Midas Touch (should be suited) is not good enough. Godolphin, in good form lately, run last year's third, Cavalryman (disappointing this season), who has solid place claims and looks as he if will benefit from the softer ground.

The Aga Khan has favourite, Behkabad who heads market, but offers little value and the promising Sarafina who may not get home. The other home contenders include Lope de Vega (stamina doubts) and Planteur, who is likely to be a popular selection but does not look good enough either.

In conclusion, the heavy going combined with lack of an outright favourite, and negatives over all the main players, we may have a surprise result and to that end, I expect a big run from Prix Foy winner, Duncan. By Dalakhani, who won this on holding conditions and trained by the shrewd John Gosden, he handled the track well last time and could give his connections due recompense for last year's injustice.

The supporting card is equally compelling with hopefully informative group 1 two year old contests (particularly the fillies races), the Foret which sees Goldikova and Paco Boy re oppose over 7f and the Opera where the unexposed Field Day is of interest.

enjoy and bonne chance....

Glorious Goodwood

Glorious Goodwood starts today but still puzzled by events at Ascot on Saturday. Have liked Harbinger since the season started but could not foresee him improving that much to put in such a high level performance (not the only person either as he was available at 5s just prior to the off -in fact Youmzain strangely seemed to be better supported) and it was also difficult to see Workforce running so poorly. Perhaps logical explanations will surface in time but despite his ostensibly brilliant performance, I would not be supporting him at short odds for the Arc (particularly on softish going). It's worth noting that second place Cape Blanco did not stay and was under pressure a long way out.

Of all the summer festivals, Goodwood (we won't mention Galway) is possibly the most difficult to find winners but nevertheless, it always manages to engage. Today's fare looks as competitive as ever and while I will be rooting for Dandino, best bet could be Lord Shanakill in the Betfair Cup. Henry Cecil found him a nice confidence booster last time and 7 furlongs may well prove to be his forte.

good luck...

The King George 2010

Undoubtedly the highlight of summer racing, The King George takes place at Ascot today. This year's small but select field should give us an exciting renewal with solid pacemaker, Confront, making it a good test. Top of the list is Derby winner, Workforce. Although he may not have beaten a great field at Epsom, his win in record time by 7 lengths on only his third outing, suggests great potential and being under excellent tutelage, he should improve greatly. Very hard to oppose and at mooted odds of even money, he looks a great bet.

However it is a Group 1 and Sir Michael runs another progressive horse in Harbinger. His win in the Hardwicke gives him claims, but feel second place awaits. Of the others, old friend Youmzain will take advantage of any slip ups but has been thwarted too often at this level to warrant support. Daryakana travels from France, but she may only be seeking black type, which leaves us with Irish Derby victor, Cape Blanco, who actually beat Workforce (impeded by loose bit) in a speedy Dante. After that race doubts were voiced concerning his ability to prosper over 12 furlongs, which were not satisfactorily quelled by beating another non stayer (Jan Vermeer) at the Curragh. All in all, Workforce looks the winner and if he does trade at even money near the off, great value will be had.

The main supporting race is the International Stakes. Picked out Decent Fella early on in the week and now rather perplexed to see him currently the tissue favourite. Nevertheless one to keep an eye on. On a busy day, also interested in Mass Rally (Ascot 3.15) and Novellen Lad (at York).

On another note, slipped out of the office on Friday afternoon and into local bookies to have a look at a horse from my notebook, Field Day (won a back end maiden last year). She duly obliged in good style landing a decent race and is definitely worth following. However somethings never change, as I neglected to take 11/2 available at the off, only to see her returned at 9/2!!!

good luck and enjoy........