THE 2024 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Group 1 at Longchamp on Sunday is certainly an open looking renewal where you can make a case for plenty of this field. At this stage from a ground perspective it will not be testing as there is a dry forecast for both the Saturday and Sunday during racing.
In the first race on Sunday on Arc Day in theQatar Prix Marcel Boussac Criterium des Pouliches Group 1 Zarigana Unibet 8/11 looks very hard to oppose with Bedtime Story and Simmering next in the betting.
It is a fascinating renewal of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and there is lots of top action to look forward to at Longchamp, as well as Group 1 action at Newmarket with the Sun Chariot Stakes.
Enjoy whether at a racecourse or watching #athome on ITV Racing.
Cheers
The Wine Tipster
Saturday:
2:40 Newmarket – Sun Chariot Stakes Group 1 (1m)
Tamfana the unluckiest runner in the 1000 Guineas was stepped up in trip on her next two starts, including finishing fourth to Sosie (runs in the Arc) over the Arc distance at Longchamp in July. On her latest start at the end of August at Sandown in a Group 3 she looked great in the parade ring and won by nearly three lengths when beating Doha comfortably.
The return to the Rowley Mile will definitely suit her and she can continue her winning ways.
3:00 Ascot – Bengough Stakes Group 3 (6f)
Apollo One steps up to Group company and whilst he has a bit to find with English Oak and Purosanque he can run another big race with a draw in stall 1.
He was ridden to come from just off the pace at Doncaster’s St Leger meeting and this almost worked to perfection until just losing out by a nose to the late challenging American Affair.
On his last appearance at Ascot he was second in a Wokingham and he has shown previously he can handle these conditions. Apollo One will reward each way players at a minimum.
3:25 Longchamp – Qatar Prix Daniel Wildenstein Group 2 (1m)
Penalty, the German raider is the one to beat, who at Baden-Baden absolutely destroyed the well-regarded Elamaz, who had been mopping up good events on his previous three starts. Penalty was always travelling well, and he showed a good turn of foot to put the race to bed in strides as he powered on to a near four-length victory in a Group 2. If he runs to that level here then a repeat of that would be enough, but he looked like there was more to come, and if that’s the case, he’ll be hard to beat here.
3:35 Ascot – Challenge Cup Heritage Handicap (7f)
Star Of Orion looks a huge price here considering he’s rediscovered some of his best form and he is proven under conditions. He is probably drawn on the right side in stall 3 as often low numbers have been favoured when the ground is riding on the soft side here. He’s got plenty of good Ascot straight-track form, hitting the frame in big-field handicaps the last three times he’s raced here, and seems impervious to the ground. A lot to like for the price.
Longchamp Sunday:
1.30 Longchamp – Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere Group 1 (7f)
Houquetot can make the step up to Group 1 company today in a race that is more open that the betting suggests.
Houquetot’s three wins from four starts have shown he knows how to get his head in front, and whilst the form of his Group 3 win in the Prix La Rochette at Longchamp is short of what’s required, he was very game that day and gives the impression that he will just keep trying and do enough, rather than be flashy. He’ll enjoy the likely strong pace on here and can reward each-way backers at a price.
3.20 Longchamp – Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Group 1 (1m 4f)
Al Riffa (nap) was marked up as my each way selection to chase home City Of Troy in the Eclipse at Sandown over one mile two furlongs and that was just what he did in the soft at Sandown when staying on well at the finish. He went straight in my notebook as a contender in the Arc and substantiated his claims when thriving on his first run over this distance in early August, when storming clear to win easily by five lengths in a Group 1 at Hoppegarten in Germany in impressive fashion.
It is worth remembering he won the Group 1 National Stakes as a two-year-old and then disappointed on seasonal debut as a three-year-old last season when fourth ahead of a fine second at Deauville to Ace Impact on his only other start in 2023.
This four-year-old has come of age this season and on his tenth career start will run a big race from stall 9.
Delius is the French three-year-old that makes the most appeal with plenty of untapped potential and a strongly run race will be in his favour. This unraced two-year-old notched up a hat-trick earlier in the season and then in July finished third to Sosie when given far too much to do on that occasion at Longchamp in the Grand Prix de Paris when he went off favourite.
Back at Longchamp in September Delius chased home Sosie once again when doing his best work near the finish with Look de Vega back in third.
Deluis will handle the conditions, has a good draw in stall 7 and his trainer Jean-Claude Rouget has an excellent record in the last five Arcs.
4.40 Longchamp – Qatar Prix de la Foret Presente par Education Above All (7f)
Kinross is a remarkable seven-year-oldwho showed at Doncaster in the Park Stakes when beating Lead Artist easily by two lengths that he is still mighty force over this distance. This assignment is tougher with the front runner Ramatuelle in opposition; however Kinross will love the ground and can triumph again to follow up on his 2022 success.
The Wine Tipster’s Treble
A super weekend of racing awaits that will see history made and champions crowned.
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