Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece you can read some of my thoughts on Saturday’s action on Arc Weekend.
Arc Weekend gets underway at Longchamp on Saturday with two Group 1 contests. I haven’t looked at Longchamp card. Instead, I have focused on the eight races you can watch live on ITV from Ascot, Newmarket and Redcar.
I got my full ITV preview out to Victor Valus subscribers on Saturday lunchtime and if you want it and my Arc Weekend selections you can get them here. Enter coupon code VVHALF and your first month is just £10.
Ascot
Despite the dry forecast it’s still likely to be soft ground at Ascot on Saturday.
The £180,000 BetMGM Challenge Cup (3:35) steals the Ascot spotlight. The Ascot undercard also features the Group 3 Cumberland Lodge Stakes (2:25) and Group 2 Bengough Stakes (3:00).
2:25 – BetMGM Cumberland Lodge Stakes (Group 3) – 1m 4f
Hamish, the 2022 winner, was solid on his first two runs this season but has been below par recently. He loves testing ground and could go close if near his best.
Stablemate Al Aasy has won his last two on quicker ground but can be tricky to ride. While he handles soft conditions, better ground may suit him more.
Al Qareem, last year's winner, gets a 3lb weight pull. He enjoys soft ground, is tough and his front-running style makes him tough to pass
Salt Bay was narrowly beaten by Hamish earlier this season but must bounce back from a poor York effort. If he does, he’s a player.
Layfayette, an Irish raider, likely needed his reappearance run. He’s a capable Group 3 winner but might not be the same horse anymore.
3:35 – BetMGM Challenge Cup (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) – 7f
A competitive handicap with 18 runners. I previewed the race here in Wednesday's column.
Qirat is improving with racing and won well at Goodwood over this trip last time. He’s up 5lb but handles easy ground well and should be a leading contender.
Fresh, a C&D winner, was back to winning form last time here last time (6f). He’s just as effective over 7f and is in with a chance off a 2lb higher mark.
Carrytheone has been consistent all summer, though his hold-up style always leaves him vulnerable in big fields. He handles ease in the ground but might prefer a better surface.
Germanic, lightly raced and progressive, was a good third at Doncaster last time. He handles soft conditions and is a big player for a yard that won this race in 2021.
Volterra bounced back to form with a solid second at York over a mile. The drop back to 7f shouldn’t be an issue, and he's a strong contender even off a 4lb higher mark, though soft ground is a concern.
Akkadian Thunder ran well to be second over C&D last time, doing best of the hold-up performers in that race. He’s likely to be in the mix once again.
Golden Mind returned to form with a second at Doncaster (Germanic 3rd) last time and handles soft ground. He’s another with a chance.
United Approach posted a career-best over C&D in a conditions race last time. Lightly raced, he handles soft ground, and the first-time cheekpieces make him an intriguing contender off a light weight.
Newmarket
It’s good to soft, soft in places at Newmarket and it’s set to be dry so the drying trend should continue.
The Group 1 Virgin Bet Sun Chariot Stakes (2:40) is the Newmarket feature race. On the undercard, the £150,000 Tattersalls October Auction Stakes (2:05) is also likely to draw attention.
Inspiral won last years Sun Chariot Stakes (good to firm) and would be tough to beat in that form. Sadly, she’s been nowhere near her best on three starts this season. Stablemate Nashwa is having her first start since March and would have good chance if fully tuned up. Given doubts about the Gosden pair you can see why the in form 3-year-old’s Tamfana and See The Fire are so well fancied in the betting.
Redcar
It’s soft at Redcar but its set to be dry and sunny so it could dry up a touch for the track’s biggest day of the season.
The £150,000 William Hill Two-Year-Old Trophy (2:45) is the most valuable race run at Redcar and is the headline contest of an eight race card.
Billboard Star and Francisco's Piece help set a good form standard and have big chances. The one I liked Invictus Gold is now a non-runner. The progressive Uncle Don and Northern Ticker are juveniles going the right way. The latter handled soft ground when winning at Carlisle last time. Uncle Don is unproven on ground worse than good but does come from a yard that won this race in 2017 & 2019.
I’m not sure If I will have the time to do a Sunday column for the culmination of Arc Weekend. If not, I’ll be back on Monday to look back at the weekend’s big race action.
Good luck with your Arc Weekend bets.
John
After my daughter has been pushed back twice from Otley General, she has today had her treatment of an injection for a “lumbar blanch block”, whatever that is…..don’t intend to pinch the site for medical matters but the theme of waiting for treatment is difficult, my sympathies John for getting the treatment you require when the date arrives