Open to three years and older for colts, fillies and mares, the 2400m Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe takes place at Longchamp this Monday morning at 12.15am Australian time.
It’s the most prestigious turf race in the world at this distance, its roll of honour including equine immortals such as Ribot, Sea Bird, Mill Reef, Alleged, Dancing Brave and Sea the Stars.
This year looks like an exciting renewal.
Last year’s second Orfevre is looking to go one better this year. There’s no doubting his ability, but he still managed to steal defeat from the jaws of victory in last year’s race.
He has a favourable draw in stall 8 – winners generally come from the lower half.
Don’t expect much value, he’s currently trading at $3.50 and the patriotic Japanese will go hard on him on race day.
His compatriot Kizuna is another with worthy form. On his last run he defeated the Epsom Derby winner Ruler of the World in the Prix Neil. Before that he won the Japanese Derby, which in recent years could be rated the classiest Derby in the world.
He also acts on soft/dead ground, which tends to be the going at Longchamp this time of year.
Al Kazeem is another horse who will enjoy a cut in the ground but you can’t help but get the feeling he has already peaked in what has been an average middle distance season in the UK and Ireland. Others look more appealing, and he has also drawn stall 18.
Aidan O’Brien’s Ruler of the World looked a star in the Epsom Derby, then flopped in the Irish version before a respectable performance to come second in the Prix Niel.
Who knows what to expect here, but three year olds who win this race are usually top drawer consistent sorts – he is not.
St. Leger winner Leading Light takes his chance here, but this distance might be too sharp for him.
From the home team, Intello and the filly Treve look the best.
Andre Fabre has won this race seven times before and his horse, Intello looks to have the class having already won the Prix du Jockey Club this season.
There is a question mark over whether he’ll stay the trip though, having never run over 2400m. The filly Treve looked very impressive last time when winning the Prix Vermeille.
I believe the most impressive performance we’ve seen this year in Europe was from the German superstar Novellist.
In the King George he had Trading Leather five lengths behind him, the latter horse having consistently put it up to the likes of Al Kazeem all year.
With the unstoppable Johnny Murtagh on board and the German form being high standard, he’s my selection to win this.
1. Novellist
2. Ofevre
3. Intello
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