RACING resumes in France behind closed doors for the first time since March, with meetings at Longchamp, Toulouse and Compiegne. There were over 1,000 entries across the three meetings, with Longchamp returning with a card not only to interest everyone in France but overseas as well. There are four Group races, featuring Victor Ludorum in the Prix De Fontainebleu and Arc third Sottsass in the Prix D’ Harcourt as well as plenty of other top-class runners.

This is a card to savour and we all look forward to racing returning behind closed doors in the UK too with the Classic Trials. 

9.55 UK time Longchamp Prix De Saint-Georges Group 3 (5f)

Last year’s 1-2-3-4 all line up again and Sestilo Jet has an obvious chance of beating them all again. Gold Vibe’s Abbaye second to Mabs Cross back in 2018 is probably the best bit of form in the race (and he went off favourite for this last year) but he is very hard to win with. A chance is taken on BATWAN (nap), runner-up in this last year and not seen since, but with plenty of rain around over the past 2 weeks he should have his ground. The forecast is for more rain early Monday morning.

Unibet 8/1 each way

11.55 UK Time Longchamp Prix De Fontainebleu Group 3 (1m)

Andre Fabre’s Victor Ludorum will be all the rage after his win in the Grand Criterium on Arc day last year but not far behind him there was the improving HELTER SKELTER, who is going to be better served by 10f plus this year and makes plenty of appeal on breeding as the sort to make a better 3-year-old. The ground here ought to be ideal for him, and he’s worth an each way bet against the likely favourite.

Unibet 9/2 each way

12.25 UK Time Longchamp Prix De La Grotte Group 3 (1m)

The worry with Tropbeau is not her form, which is top class, but whether she will prove as suited by a mile as shorter – she is a daughter of a July Cup winner, and has not looked short of speed to date. If she stays, she’s probably the one to beat, but there was a lot to like about DREAM AND DO’s battling win in a Group 3 at Maison-Laffite last autumn, and she looks the sort to go on this year. She ought to stay a mile and the ground looks sure to suit.

Unibet 13/2 each way

1.05 UK Time Longchamp Prix D’Harcourt Group 2 (1m 2f)

SOTTSASS holds a bit of a class advantage over most of these, with his third in the Prix De L’Arc de Triomphe looking a standout piece of form. This drop back to 10f ought not inconvenience him, having shown last year he is really effective at this trip, winning on two occasions. The ground looks very likely to be on the soft side and he can score on seasonal debut. 

Way To Paris stays a lot further than this but likes the track, including a second to Arc winner Waldgeist last September. He has some decent form to his name, and has gone well fresh in the past. The forecast rain offers him place chances.

Unibet Sottsass 4/7 win

Unibet Way To Paris 20/1 each way