Longchamp Arc Meeting Saturday Tips Dave Stevos
Longchamp Arc Meeting Saturday Tips
As well as top class action at Newmarket and Ascot (see preview here), we also have quality fare from Longchamp. The rain arrived there on Friday and while it shouldn’t be too bad on Saturday, it could be bottomless for the Arc on Sunday. Given the forecast it makes sense to focus on horses with form on soft ground tomorrow and there is plenty of Irish and UK interest on Day 1. Check out Dave Stevos’ Longchamp Arc Meeting Saturday tips and preview below.
1.33 – Prix Daniel Wildenstein (Group 2)
The first race we will look at is this 8f Group 2. The Revenant is the 6/4 favourite for Graffard and Peslier. He won this race last year before landing the QEII stakes at Ascot. The son of Dubawi hasn’t run since a decent effort on good ground at Saint-Cloud in May. His lack of a recent run isn’t a concern though as he won this after a year off last season. The softer the ground, the better it will suit the 6yo and he is the best horse in the race. However, the QEII is likely his main target again and I’ll be chancing one at bigger odds e/w instead.
We backed Stormy Antarctic two runs back at Haydock (10.5f sft). He could only manage 4th but on reflection, the trip probably stretched his stamina and he is much better over today’s trip when the ground is on the softer side. You can put a line through his last run at Goodwood on account of the ground. Three runs back he landed a Listed heat at Goodwood (10f sft), his peak effort this season. That showed he still retains lots of ability and I think today’s conditions look absolutely ideal for him.
Excellent Record In France
Last Summer on his last visit to France he chased home Persian King in a G1 at Chantilly (9f gd). This son of Stormy Atlantic clearly enjoys his trips abroad as is evidenced by the fact that five of his six wins have come on foreign soil. He has raced mainly at Chantilly and Saint-Cloud when in France and his form figures at those tracks read 212 (Chantilly) and 21 (Saint Cloud). The wins have come soft and heavy and he is reunited with Gerald Mosse who gets on well with him. This 8yo isn’t getting any younger but he may have a big day left in him yet. At odds of 33/1, let’s hope it is today.
Longchamp Arc Meeting Saturday Tip: Stormy Antarctic e/w @ 33/1
2.15 – Prix Du Cadran (Group 1)
As far as staying races on the flat go, it doesn’t get much better than this. A field of 13 will line up in the stalls for this 20f marathon and what a renewal it is. Last year’s brave winner Princess Zoe is back to defend her crown. Tony Mullins’ stable star has run massive races on her last two starts and the rain has come just in time for her. She found only Subjectivist too good at Ascot two runs back on ground that I thought she had no chance on. At the Curragh last time she chased homeTwilight Payment and that run will have left her cherry ripe for today.
However, Trueshan is another seriously talented stayer and he gets his ground too. He has won both his last two starts on soft. He slammed Search For A Song at Ascot and then he hacked up in a G1 at Goodwood. Those wins came over 16f but the son of Planteur should get this trip no problem. Stradivarius adds further intrigue. After a blip (by his high standards) he has now won 3 of his last 4 and he has the assistance of Frankie. However, he seems best on faster ground these days and of the top three, he looks the most vulnerable.
Stratum No Back Number
Last year’s runner up Alkuin is a massive price at 66/1. He has mostly disappointed since but he has been campaigned over shorter. He is back at 20f for just the second time in his career and if it is bottomless, he could surprise with a big run. However, at 33/1 I think Stratum shouldn’t be overlooked. He loves soft ground and he has yet to taste defeat on the level on that sort of surface.
His last flat start on soft came at Royal Ascot and he won that doing handstands (21f). He is a definite stayer at 20f and Cristian Demuro is an excellent booking. Stratum won the Cesarewitch in 2019 off 101 (18f sft) when coincidentally, he beat Tony Mullins’ Party Playboy into 2nd. The son of Dansili is 3/3 on soft ground on the flat, including those Cesarewitch and Queen Alexandra wins. Even though he is an 8yo he is still relatively unexposed over marathon trips on the flat on soft. At odds of 33/1 he looks a very interesting proposition.
Longchamp Arc Meeting Saturday Tip: Stratum e/w @ 33/1 NAP (4 Places)
2.50 – Prix de Royallieu (Group 1)
The second Group 1 of the day at Longchamp is this 14f contest for the fillies and mares. I tipped up Glenartney for the Princess Royal last time out. She was pulled on account of the quick ground and connections have decided to have a crack at this instead. The rain has come for her and Walker has enlisted the services of the evergreen Olivier Peslier for the ride.
This daughter of Le Havre may have won just one of her five starts but she is better than her record suggests. Her sole win came on her second start in a Newmarket novice (7f hvy). She was then too keen on her comeback at York (10f gd/sft) behind Snowfall. However, she showed a lot more on her last two starts in Listed company. She ran a cracker over 11f at Hamilton and it was even better last time out at Doncaster over 12f.
On both occasions she dwelt at the start and then did her best work at the finish. On the evidence of those efforts this 14f trip looks well worth trying. Her dam is a half sister to a trio of winners at G1/G2 level over 12f, including the mighty Nathaniel. Her sire is a big stamina influence so on pedigree, there is plenty of encouragement regarding this new trip. At odds of 14/1, Glenartney is worth backing each way.
