Events / Noel Bell / 05 October 2007 /

Noel Bell previews all the action at Longchamps this weekend

There is a particularly strong Irish challenge for the major honours at Longchamp this weekend.

Aidan O'Brien has entered US Ranger in the Group One Prix de la Floret on Saturday and reapposes Tariq who beat him by two lengths over the same distance at Royal Ascot in June. Since then, US Ranger has changed stables and showed plenty of dash returning from a lay off by winning over six furlongs at the Curragh last weekend. The softer ground should help US Ranger to reverse Ascot form with Tariq.

All My Loving has been entered in the Group Two Prix de Royallieu, a filly who tends to run her races in snatches. Kieren Fallon will be in the plate this time and could coax her home for an overdue success.

Kevin Prendergast has entered Mores Wells in the Group Two Prix Chaudenay. This Saddlers Wells colt could improve with the step up in distance following his decent run behind Yeats in the Irish St leger.

Kevin Prendergast has also entered Decado in the Group Two Prix Daniel Wildenstein Castel Marie-Louise de La Baule. This Danehill Dancer colt will benefit from the softer ground and could run into the frame at decent prices.

Tracey Collins, daughter of the late legendary Irish trainer Con, sends the game and consistent Dandy Man to contest the Prix de l'Abbaye on Sunday. Her stable star has run well in Group One company this year but his best form has been on faster ground and I suspect that the easier underfoot conditions will conspire against him this weekend. Kingsgate Native looked an exceptional juvenile when winning the Nunthorpe and will take all the beating. However Desert Lord will enjoy better terms than in the Nunthorpe and should run into a place at least.

Dermot Weld has entered Mad About You in the Prix Broussac whilst Aidan O'Brien relies on Savethisdanceforme. Mad About You will like the ground and looks to have a live chance based on good-placed form behind Saoirse Abu at the Curragh. Savethisdanceforme has not progressed as expected this year and is worth opposing in spite of winning last time out on Dundalk's all weather track.

Aidan O'Brien has entered Greatwallofchina and Minneapolis in the Grand Criterium. The Ballydoyle representatives must be respected in this race having won seven of the previous ten runnings, most recently with Holy Roman Emperor last year. His two entries however will need to improve on recent running to trouble the judge this time. Hatta Fort sidestepped an engagement last week at the Curragh and is worth watching for the Mick Channon yard.

However, if Goldphin decide to run Rio de la Plata in the race then I expect he would win.

Jim Bolger has entered the English and Irish Guineas winner Finsceal Beo in the Prix del l'Opera having decided to sidestep an engagement in the Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket. He must think his filly is in good order to take her chance following a disappointing run in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown last month. Finsceal Beo, who will like the ground, would take all the beating if she recovers her scintillating Guineas form.

At the time of writing, Aidan O'Brien seems likely to be represented by seven of his inmates in the feature, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, with Soldier of Fortune and Dylan Thomas representing his best chances. I fear both will play second fiddle to Authorized who I believe will provide Frankie with his fourth success in the race.

Yeats should, however, compensate Ballydoyle by winning the Group One Prix du Cadran over two and a half miles following his recent success in the Irish St Leger at the Curragh.

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