Hi all,
Inside today's main piece I'm looking back on Arc Day.
Bluestocking Shines in Arc Gloom
The weather looked very autumnal at Longchamp on Sunday. As I mentioned last week, the Arc is one of my favourite races, but I hadn’t found the winner until 2021, when Torquator Tasso stormed home at 100/1. Three years later, I’ve found another winner! Bluestocking, tipped to Victor Value subscribers at 11/1, got the job done.
Bluestocking may not be the best Arc winner ever, but there have been worse ones. Her low draw in stall 3 helped, and Rossa Ryan gave her a perfect ride. Ryan Moore set a steady pace on Los Angeles, with Bluestocking tracking in third. Taking the lead 2f out, she stayed on well to win by 1 ½ lengths, holding off a strong-finishing Aventure.
Los Angeles plugged on for third, with favourite Sosie back in fourth. Aventure came from further back and ran well, but Bluestocking's upheld Vermeille form with runner-up. Nothing got into the race from the rear, and Bluestocking was in the ideal place throughout. Which is a credit to her jockey Rossa Ryan.
It may not have been a vintage Arc, but when you’re on the winner, that doesn't matter!
More Arc Day Group 1 Triumphs for the British
Makarova caused a big surprise in the Prix de l'Abbaye, outstaying Bradsell. The winners stamina for further coming in handy on soft ground. Bradsell fought hard but the soft ground blunted his speed. Believing, who had finished runner-up to Bradsell on her last two starts, followed him home in third after hitting her usual flat spot at halfway.
Friendly Soul added another British Group 1 win in the Prix de l'Opera. Always well placed, she had too much speed for stablemate Running Lion inside the final furlong. I had doubts about Friendly Soul on soft ground, but she handled it perfectly. Sparkling Plenty finished well to snatch third from Fallen Angel. Given she was held up off a moderate pace she did well to finish as close she did.
Friendly Soul is now 4 wins from 5 runs, with her only disappointment coming in the Musidora Stakes at York. It was a well-deserved Group 1 for the Gosden yard and jockey Kieran Shoemark, who has had a tough season. The winner could now head to the Breeders' Cup for the Filly and Mare Turf.
Arc Day Verdict
Well done to Bluestocking’s connections for supplementing her for Sunday’s big race. The five best middle-distance horses in Europe were missing. Add soft ground, which Bluestocking handles better than most, and it became a winnable race.
I struggled to find many betting opportunities on the Arc support card, which is unusual but reflects this year’s flat season.
I’ll wrap up the weekend’s action in Tuesday’s column.
Good luck with your Monday bets!
John