2026 Longchamp Arc Meeting Preview & Tips

After two weeks of trying (and failing spectacularly) to catch a 5lb plus bass down in Kerry, Dave Stevos is back in action on Sunday at Longchamp. It’s a cracking card with no less than six Group 1 races, including the piece de resistance, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Hopefully, we can land a place or two, or maybe even a winner, Dave’s 2026 Longchamp Arc meeting previews and tips are below.

12.31 – Prix Marcel Boussac (Group 1)

Is this the new normal? An Arc meeting on close to good to firm ground? I hope not, but it is this year and that means the mudlarks that have been waiting for their optimum conditions, will have to keep on waiting.

Green Empress is a smart filly and being by Saxon Warrior, she’ll love the ground. She’s won one of her four starts and the only horse that has beaten her is the outstanding Sun Goddess. Stepping up to a mile should really suit her and her claims are obvious with the Belgian maestro Christophe Soumillon in the plate.

Pretty Open

Apart from her, this looks pretty open so I am going to take a punt on the rank outsider, Tall Trees. This filly’s sole win came in a 7f maiden at Sandown when she made all and scored by a head. The second and third bolted up on their next starts and previous to that start, Tall Trees ran a fine race in a Listed heat at the same track, picking up some black type in third despite being denied a clear run.

She admittedly disappointed last time out in a Doncaster G2 on her first try at 1m but I’m not sure the good to soft ground suited her. On her Sandown Listed run, and on her fast-finishing effort over 6f in the Albany, 1m on fast ground could really suit and her pedigree suggests the trip will suit too. At odds of 66/1, hopefully Tall Trees can sneak into the frame.

2026 Longchamp Arc Meeting Tip: Tall Trees e/w @ 66/1 (4 places)

1.09 – Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Group 1)

The interesting one at a price here is the Bond Thoroughbred colt, Big Money Man. After running green as grass on debut at Chantilly (6f, gd-sft) back in June, this son of No Nay Never absolutely bolted up on his next start upped to 7f at Compiegne (good), beating subsequent G3 winner Zakkan by 5l.

On his next start Christopher Head stepped his charge up in class and distance in a Listed heat at Deauville (1m, heavy) and he just didn’t quite see out the trip on the testing ground. Last time out at Woodbine in a G1 over 1m on fast ground Big Money Man ran a cracker to finish fourth despite racing keenly and not getting the clearest of runs in the home straight.

I think the drop back to 7f is a huge plus for this colt and he already proved he can be competitive at the top table in that Woodbine heat last time out. 40/1 looks a crazy price to my eye and at those odds, he has to be worth taking a chance on e/w.

2026 Longchamp Arc Meeting Tip: Big Money Man e/w @ 40/1 NAP

1.47 – Prix de l’Abbaye (Group 1)

It isn’t impossible to win from a high draw in the Abbaye, but it is devilishly difficult. The last two horses to defy double figure odds were the northern based sprinters Mabs Cross and Highfield Princess, so Katie Scott will be hoping that Naana’s Shadow can overcome a less than desirable draw in stall 14.

However, I’m going to side with one from a single figure draw that will relish fast ground and the one that fits the bill is the Simon and Ed Crisford trained 6yo, Cover Up. This Exceed And Excel gelding comes into the race on the back of two G1 defeats at York and the Curragh on good to soft and yielding ground. However, his last two runs on good to firm would give him every chance here.

Sapphire Stakes Win

Back in June he was beaten just 3.5l in the King Charles III stakes at Royal Ascot when he didn’t get the clearest of runs. A month later he pitched up in the G2 Sapphire Stakes at the Curragh and made no mistake, staying on best to score by 0.75l. His career form figures over 5f on good and good to firm ground read 12134101, the 0 coming in the King Charles when he still ran really well.

There should be a frantic early pace on here, which will suit him well, and if he doesn’t get too far back early doors, Cover Up may be able to hit the frame at odds of 22/1.

2026 Longchamp Arc Meeting Tip: Cover Up e/w @ 22/1 (4 places)

3.05 – Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Group 1)

The big one. Last year’s hero Daryz is the favourite and deservedly so. He’s got a lovely draw in stall 5 and while it was softer ground when he won in 2025, he’ll have no issues with the quicker conditions here.

Last time out Daryz won the Prix Foy over C&D, beating Bay City Roller by 1.75l. Given the relatively narrow margin of victory, you could argue the runner up is overpriced at 33s but he is probably best on ground with a bit of an ease in it.

G1 Curragh Form

When Bay City Roller finished second behind Almaqam in the Tattersalls Gold Cup over 1m2f at the Curragh earlier this season, Saddadd was close up behind him in third. Roger Varian’s son of Pinatubo came from miles back that day and if the race were run over today’s trip of 1m4f, he would have beaten Bay City Roller, in my opinion. He had Minnie Hauk well behind in fifth yet she is half Saddadd’s price here.

After a below par run in the Eclipse, Saddadd was sent over to Germany for the G1 Grosser Preis von Baden, his first run over 1m4f. He came away with a 0.5l win and 3l behind him in fourth was Giavellotto, who finished a decent fourth in last year’s Arc.

Back in 2021, Torquator Tasso won the same race before going on to spring a massive surprise in the Arc, maybe Saddadd can follow in his hoofsteps at odds of 40/1.

2026 Longchamp Arc Meeting Tip: Saddadd e/w @ 40/1 (4 places)

-DaveStevos