The 2025 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 could become really soft with rain forecast on Saturday.
Enjoy the weekend action whether at a racecourse or watching #athome on ITV Racing.
Cheers
The Wine Tipster
Saturday
1:50 Ascot – Rous Stakes Listed Race (5f)
Beautiful Diamond looked better than ever when winning the Arran Scottish Sprint EBF Fillies Stakes at Ayr last time out, quickening right away from the useful Star Of Mehmas in the closing stages and once again showing a liking for softer underfoot conditions, which she will get once again.
Let’s remember Beautiful Diamond was second in this last year to the smart Rumstar and can go one better.
2:25 Ascot – Cumberland Lodge Stakes Group 3 (1m 4f)
Hamish is a remarkable nine-year-old who is a wonderful individual who retains all his enthusiasm and has to be allowed to run his own style of race.
Hamish won at Goodwood in June and then he came back from a summer break to win the Listed race at Chester last time out in September, giving weight and a beating to his rivals.
This looks a stiffer task, though the 3lb he gets from his old rival Al Qareem, who he’s beaten a couple of times when they have met in the past, clearly works in his favour.
Hamish has the ground he loves, and he can achieve his fourteenth career success on his twenty seventh career appearance.
2:40 Newmarket – Sun Chariot Stakes Group 1 (1m)
Saqqara Sands looks an interesting each-way selection and isn’t far behind those at the head of the market.
She was certainly useful at two and importantly won over course and distance as a juvenile as well as being placed in Listed company at Newbury. This season she has looked even better, and her form figures of 2112 are testament to that with a dead heat in the Group 3 Oak Tree Stakes at Goodwood and then improving on that when only just touched off in the Group 2 Celebration Mile back there in late August.
Saqqara Sands is ground versatile, and you can expect her to go well here back on the Rowley Mile.
Sunday
1.50 Longchamp – Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp Longines Group 1 (5f)
Frost At Dawn has been really consistent all season and was marked up in my Unibet blog when third to Asfoora in the Nunthorpe at York. Her last six starts have seen her finish 221243, and from stall four she has each-way claims once again.
3.05 Longchamp – Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Group 1 (1m 4f)
Cualificar (nap) was very impressive in the Prix Niel at Longchamp last month on his first try over this distance when challenging late on to nab Bay City Roller on the line after getting himself in trouble. His form figures are 111231, which includes a second in the Prix du Jockey Club and third in the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano.
He is ground versatile and this son of the Oaks winner Qualify has a strong chance from stall eight.
Croix Du Nord won a fastly run Japanese Derby in June when running right to the line on good to firm going. He then followed up on his first start in France on very soft going in the Prix du Prince d’Orange at Longchamp last month over one mile two furlongs when holding off the challenge of Daryz. There might be some saying that was a concern; however, returning to the distance will be in his favour and he can overcome the high draw.
Unibet are paying an EXTRA PLACE in this race!
4.25 Longchamp – Qatar Prix de la Foret Group 1 (7f)
More Thunder was total class when winning the Hungerford Stakes Group 2 at Newbury in imperious fashion to make it four wins from five starts this season. It is interesting that he is coming to Longchamp and he can hold off the threat of Zarigana.
Unibet are paying an EXTRA PLACE in this race!
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