Pink Dogwood 5/1
PINK DOGWOOD can take the Arc day opener – the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac, a Group 1 for 2yo fillies over a mile.
She has progressed from two seconds on her first two starts with a 7-length front running win in a Gworan Park maiden on testing conditions.
She will want some rain before Sunday for her ideal surface, but can get the day underway nicely for Aiden O’Brien, who has five runners in the big one at 3:05.
Boitron 3/1
BOITRON, one of next seasons fancies for the 2000 Guineas can land this Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere Sponsorise Par Manateq, a Group 1 once more over the mile.
This is harder than the three runs he has had so far, but he is totally unexposed in this field, and is firmly in the ‘could be anything’ category. Cristian Demuro rides for Richard Hannon.
ENABLE 11/10
The big one. The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, a Group 1 over 1 mile and 4 furlongs, and one of the world’s finest and most prestigious races.
There doesn’t seem to be as much depth to this year’s renewal, but the quality is still apparent, and all the signs for a successful defence for ENABLE are right in front of us. Plum draw in stall six, with second favourite and main danger Sea of Class out in 15.
Last year’s star 3yo returned to the track in sublime fashion at Kempton in the September Stakes, beating a fit rival in Crystal Ocean, and will take all the beating here.
Wild Illusion 3/1
Once the celebrations have calmed down from the feature race, there is still some high class action to get stuck into, starting with the Prix de l’Opera, a Group 1 over ten furlongs for the fillies and mares.
WILD ILLUSION was suited by the drop back from 1m4f to 1m2f at Goodwood last time out.
She made all that day, and holds a big chance here today. Will Buick rides for Charlie Appleby.
Battaash 11/8
The big sprint of the day is the Prix de l’Abbaye, and the speed-freak BATTAASH will look to return to his usual self since disappointing once more on the Knavesmire in the Nunthorpe.
It didn’t work this year, and it didn’t work last year, but everywhere else he has proved how exceptionally fast he is. He was beaten by Blue Point at Ascot after Jim Crowley went too early on him, but bounced back on that occasion to a seven-length success in the King George at Goodwood.
He blew away his rivals in this contest last year and his trainer Charlie Hills is oh-so bullish about his chances this year.
Polydream 13/8
The Qatar Prix de la Foret can be one for the hosts and Maxime Guyon as POLYDREAM can complete a hat-trick of wins having scored here and at Deauville this summer.
He beat the subsequent Sprint Cup winner The Tin Man, and a whole host on previous Group winners including the likes of James Garfield, Librisa Breeze and City Light and will surely take the beating here.
