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Preview: Longchamp.
With ten Group One and three Group Two events to be run at Longchamp this weekend; horseracing fans globally will witness two of the best days of racing on the international calendar. We look at the other big races away from the 'Arc' this weekend at Longchamp.
Current formbooks may need to be discarded for this weekends' Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe meeting where ten Group One races will be decided at Longchamp in Paris. Following a dry and hot summer, the weather in the French capital turned autumnal earlier in the week with temperatures falling and the rain arriving mostly in the form of showers. A soft track is expected over the two-day Festival with heavy rain predicted for Saturday.
Many of the Group One races on the two days have a rich history associated with them and victors include some of the greatest names to have ever graced the turf.
For Australia's champion mare, Verry Elleegant, the chances of gaining a start in the 'Arc' progressively reduced as the week progressed and the decision was made not to Supplement for the race and instead race in the Prix de Royallieu, also a Group One restricted to Fillies and Mares run on Saturday over 2800m. This is one of the feature attractions on Saturday. It is Verry Elleegant's best chance to win a race in France. She will have a lot in her favour – now three runs back, a soft track and stepping up to 2800m. This is a very good renewal with many of the runners engaged in form and proven over the journey. The William Haggas trained Sea La Rosa improves with every start and has won her past two at G2 level, carrying a weight penalty last start. She has also won over the trip. André Fabre prepares two horses – Love Child and Sea The Sky and both can be considered.
Recent Irish St Leger (G1) winner Kyprios is expected to start a short-priced favourite in the Prix du Cadran (G1). This race is run over the distance of 4000m, the same journey as the G1 Ascot Gold Cup, a race Kyprios won in June. France's best hope in the race is Skazino who finished fourth in this race last year, however his form this season has been a little below that level. For Coolmore, the André Fabre trained Joie de Soir is a progressive four-year-old filly and could be interesting having only missed a place once in her twelve career starts in the G1 Fillies & Mares 2800m race run at this meeting twelve months ago. She has won to 3000m.
Sunday's Group One races include the Prix de l'Abbaye, run on the sprint course of 1000m, down the middle of the Longchamp track. This is the only race over the weekend that will be held on this track. British trained horses have an excellent record in this race winning eight of the past ten renewals. Highfield Princess has been the sprinting star of the 2022 season winning three Group One races in succession commencing with the Prix Maurice de Gheest (1300m) at Deauville in August and then faced the starter two weeks later scoring in the Nunthorpe Stakes (1000m) at York (UK). She completed the treble of elite level races landing the Flying Five (1000m) at The Curragh, on soft going, in Ireland three weeks ago. Though not a confirmed runner, she currently heads ante betting markets. Best chance for France is recent winner Berneuil. His course and distance record is solid, with five starts for two wins and two seconds with the only unplaced run occurring in this race last year where he had similar form going into the race but drew an outside gate.
The Prix de la Foret is the only open G1 race run in France over 1400m. Some outstanding horses have won this event including Goldikova, Moonlight Cloud, globetrotter and Australian G1 winner Gordon Lord Byron while One Master made it three on the trot in 2020. This year Kinross heads the markets having won his past two races, both over 1400m at G2 level in England defying a weight penalty last start scoring by one length at Doncaster three weeks ago. Frankie Dettori is his usual partner, and this is his opportunity for a Group One success. The 600m home straight at Longchamp should suit. Fang is one of the most progressive horses currently racing in France and won the G3 trial race over course and distance three weeks ago. This was his first attempt at a Black Type race and scored by one length. He is trained by Jean-Claude Rouget and has quickly risen through the ranks these past few starts. Three-year-old and multiple G1 winner Perfect Power should not be dismissed.
On Sunday the Prix de l'Opera run over 2000m is the Fillies & Mares G1. The three-year-old filly Nashwa is a Classic winner having scored attempting the Prix de Diane (G1) [2100m] at Chantilly in June and followed this victory beating the older fillies and mares in the Nassau Stakes (G1) [2000m] on her last start at Goodwood in July. This distance is ideal. Aidan O'Brien will saddle Tuesday, also a Classic winner having won the Epsom Oaks (G1) [2400m] in June (Nashwa finished third). Two runs back she finished second to Alpinista in the Yorkshire Oaks (G1) [2400m] but was a little disappointing in the Prix Vermaille (G1) [2400m] at Longchamp three weeks ago. Grand Glory is a six-year-old but did finish second in this race last year before contesting the Japan Cup where she ran a credible fifth.
There are two Group One races on Sunday for the two-year-olds – the Prix Marcel Boussac for the fillies over 1600m and the Jean-Luc Lagadere open to both colts and fillies raced over 1400m. Both races produce a 'who's-who' of future stars. Always look to Aidan O'Brien runners.