Evening all,

I was a shade under the weather on Thursday and no it wasn’t anything to do with Wednesday’s curry. No, it was more flu like symptoms.

Inside today’s main piece I have some Arc News and there’s a look at the best of Friday’s action.

Arc News

It could be very soft ground for Sunday’s Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (3.05). However, that scenario depends on the forecast 10mm of rain arriving at the track on Saturday. That said I would still be surprised if the ground was a testing as 12 months ago.

The chance of very soft ground will be music to the ears of connections of last year’s winner Torquator Tasso. It would be but it’s likely tempered by the fact that the 5-year-old had been drawn out in stall 18. Mind you Frankie Dettori managed defy stall 14 on Golden Horn in 2014.

The line-up and the draw for Sunday’s big race were revealed on Thursday. The draw was much kinder to the main British & Irish hopes with Alpinista, Westover and Luxembourg drawn in six, seven and eight respectively. Mishriff didn’t fare as well on the draw front and will race out stall 17.

The main Japanese challenger Titleholder who seems likely to make the running will come out of stall 10.

Prix du Jockey Club & Coral Eclipse winner Vadeni looks to have a good draw in stall 2. Meanwhile Onesto who finished one place in front of Vadeni in the Irish Champions Stakes emerges from stall 11.

Arc Preview

If I have the time, I might do a Sunday column but that’s by no means certain so here’s a brief preview of the race. Last year my fiver went on 100/1 shot Torquator Tasso. I suspect I won’t tip this year’s winner, but stranger things have happened.

Of those at the front end of the betting I prefer Luxembourg to Vadeni. Although both colts have to prove their stamina for 1m 4f on rain softened ground. At least the first named will handle the ground as he showed in last season’s Futurity at Doncaster. I’m not convinced about Alpinista in a big field or on very soft ground. Irish Derby winner Westover is better than he was able to show in the King George VI last time. He looks to have a good draw and the big field should allow him to settle better than he did at Ascot.

As for the Japanese challengers Titleholder is the best of them on form but on very soft ground, he’s not for me. The best of the Japanese could end up being Japanese Derby winner Do Deuce who seemed to handle rain softened ground well enough when 4^th in the Prix Niel three weeks ago.

Torquator Tasso he’s been trained for Sunday just forget his previous runs this season. Fingers crossed the rain does arrive and if it does then he’s got a great chance of becoming the first colt in 45-years to retain the Arc. I just wish he was drawn out as wide as he is but I’m loath to desert him.

Arc Verdict

I will be waiting to see if Saturday’s rain does arrive at Longchamp but before having a bet in the race. If i can get 10/1 I will have a bet on Torquator Tasso. If Frankie can win this from stall 18 it will be his finest hour.

Like 12 months ago I’m going to be looking for one at big odds. The ones that appeal most at this stage are Al Hakeem (4) who finished one place in front of Onesto in the Prix du Jockey Club. The German 4-year-old Mendocino (1) who beat Torquator Tasso at Baden-Baden last time and last year’s fifth Sealiway although stall 15 isn’t perfect.

Friday Racing

The weekend’s action gets off to good start with a decent six race card at Ascot. The highlight being the Listed Peroni Nastro Azzurro Noel Murless Stakes (3.45). The going at Ascot was being described as good on Thursday afternoon and I’m hoping the forecast heavy rain arrives after racing on Friday.

I have had a look at three races from Ascot and two from Dundalk.

Ascot

2:35 – Ian Williams saddles two of the seven runners in Justus & Malakahna. The former seems to be working his way to full fitness and was a fair 6 ¼ length 4^th off 11 at York last time. Useful hurdler Malakahna put in a personal best on the level when 3 ¾ length 2^nd of 6 to Vino Victrix at Goodwood two starts back.  Ran poorly when a beaten favourite at Ripon. But she looked unsuited to the track that day and its probably best to forgive that performance. The Mark & Charlie Johnson yard have won this race twice since 2017 so you can’t rule out a big run from Temporize in the hands of Andrea Atenzi who is 4-17 from teaming up with the yard this year.

3:45 – Peroni Nastro Azzurro Noel Murless Stakes (Listed Race) – 1m 6f

Giavellotto will be tough to beat in the feature if reproducing his 2 ¾ length 3^rd of 9 to Eldar Eldarov in the St Leger. Three places and 1 ¾ lengths behind him in the St Leger was El Habeeb and he looks a shade more value than Giavellotto at present prices.

Likely favourite Secret State has arguably the best form coming to the race having posted a career best when a 2 ¾ length 2nd of 6 to Deauville Legend in Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes at York last time.

Lionel is interesting on his first start for John & Thady Gosden. The colt had looked an excellent prospect when winning the Listed Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood (soft) in May for his previous trainer. Ran as if something was amiss when last of eight in the Irish Derby. He must give weight to his rivals here but if he’s back to his Goodwood form won’t be far away.

4:20 – Just the eight runners but an intriguing 6f handicap. Lethal Nymph was back to winning ways when successful in a C&D handicap last month. He’s just 3lb higher today so should go close again.  

Honky Tonk Man best form has come on the all-weather. If he could reproduce his neck 2^nd of 14 at Newcastle last time to the turf, he would be threat.

Aleezdancer struggled to get competitive in the Ayr Gold Cup last time but he’s back in calmer waters here and if there is an enough ease in the ground he could bounce back to winning ways.

Dundalk

There are couple of good races at Dundalk this evening. The first being the Listed Star Appeal Stakes (7:00). Cairo, trained by Aidan O’Brien, built on the promise of his racecourse debut when winning at the Curragh (1m) last time. The drop back to 7f shouldn’t inconvenience the colt who should be fine on the synthetics on pedigree. Cairo looks the most likely winner but at the prices I like the claims of Spirit Gal. The filly got of the mark at the third attempt when winning a Naas maiden 15-days ago. There was plenty to like about how much she found for her jockey’s urgings last time.  First run on the all-weather and races beyond 6f for the first time. If she stays, I think she can surprise the O’Brien colt.

The final race on the Dundalk card is an interesting 1m 4f handicap (8:30). Aidan O’Brien has the favourite in recent C&D winner Gulliver’s Travels. He’s got an 9lb rise in the weights to defy on handicap debut. However, he’s going the right way and is the one to beat. His biggest rival looks to be Amortentia who improved for the fitting of the first time cheekpieces when an unlucky 1 length 4th of 9 to Kerkiyra at the Curragh 75-days ago. The handicapper has kindly dropped her 1lb since and she did finish runner-up on her sole start here last year. The only doubt would be the step up to 1m 4f, but she’s handicapped to win if she stays.

Friday Selection:

Dundalk

7:00 – Spirit Gal – 4/1 – Gen.

Good luck with your Friday bets.

John