Longchamp Betting: Best of the undercard

Longchamp Arc Meeting / Isabel Mathew / 01 October 2011 / Leave a Comment

Goldikova is bidding for a final French triumph

"All eyes will be on the unbeaten Prix Morny winner Dabirsim in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, currently Europe’s top rated two-year-old."

All eyes will be on the Arc de Triomphe on Sunday afternoon but Isabel Mathew has found some promising runners on the Longchamp undercard too...

Six Group 1 races make up the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe undercard at Longchamp on Sunday, set off by the long-distance Prix du Cadran over 2m4f.

Third in the Ascot Gold Cup in June, Brigantin looks in the right place to take a first Group 1 race of his career. A confirmed performer on good ground, he made no show behind Ley Hunter over the course last time in rain-softened conditions, having finished third behind Irish St Leger winner Jukebox Jury at Deauville.

Top of the ground performer Kasbah Bliss finished half-a-length in front of him on that occasion, receiving 2lbs. Third, second and fourth in this event in the past three years, the nine-year-old is sure to be thereabouts for Francois Doumen.

Last year's winner Gentoo has not been the same horse since returning from Japan, and would like a little more give in the ground, as would Maria Royal.

Next up is the Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp, a predictably open race with only four French runners, who don't look up to the British and Irish challenges.

Mar Adentro finished best of the home lot when third in the race last year, however he has a bad draw in stall 15, and would probably like the ground a little softer.

This is also the case for the Robert Collet pair Wizz Kid and Bluster. The former ended a fast finishing fifth in the Nunthorpe, and beat Prohibit on soft ground over the distance in June. She has a good draw, whilst Bluster looks a little off this level.

The Prix Marcel Boussac over a mile is made up of only seven runners, with just three native contenders.

Zantenda looked a class act in the Wertheimer silks when comfortably stretching her unbeaten record to two in the Prix d'Aumale over the course and distance last month beating Rajastani. The daughter of Zamindar promises to be the latest top class filly from Freddy Head, however may prefer softer conditions underfoot.

Regina Ejina finished fourth against the colts in the Prix La Rochette last time, and has yet to try this distance, although on pedigree the furlong step up should suit. She's won two races, one on the all-weather on her penultimate start and could struggle.

All eyes will be on the unbeaten Prix Morny winner Dabirsim in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, currently Europe's top rated two-year-old.

Victorious in all four races over six furlongs, his trainer Christophe Ferland has voiced doubts over him staying a mile, so this trip looks ideal. He is hard to oppose on pure form following his three-length romp in the Morny.

Another Wertheimer/Head candidate, the highly regarded Sofast finished fourth in that race, before impressing when winning over the Jean-Luc Lagardere course and distance in the Group 3 Prix La Rochette last time on very soft ground, comfortably beating Mac Row and American Devil.

Goldikova makes her final French appearance in the Prix de la Foret when she takes on eight other rivals. As usual, the 14 times Group 1 winner will be helped by her regular pacemaker Flash Dance.

With a weight advantage over her male counterparts, this looks the ideal opportunity to take the event for the second year running, before attempting to take an unprecedented fourth Breeders' Cup Mile.

Three times Prix Maurice de Gheest victor Marchand d'Or tries his hand over seven furlongs, having regained his winning ways in a Group 3 at Deauville in August. It will be a tough assignment for the eight-year-old as he also has a wide outside draw, but he looks to have regained some of his spark.

Surfrider has not been seen since disappointing in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains in May following a surprise victory in the Prix Djebel. The seven furlong trip is, however, his optimum trip.

In the Prix de l'Opera, the last Group 1 of the weekend, Andre Fabre has supplemented Khaled Abdullah's recent Prix Jean Romanet winner Announce into this race, and she will love the ground conditions.

Although Fabre's stable has been under a cloud for the last two months, the daughter of Selkirk does not seem to have been affected, providing a ray of light for her trainer in August at Deauville. She is highly regarded by her connections.

Group 3 winner Sandy's Charm is another, having taken the Group 3 Prix de Lieurey by five lengths on her penultimate start. Her trainer Francois Rohaut is well known for his classy fillies, and this could be the latest. Royer-Dupre's Adventure Seeker is another to look out for having taken a Listed event on her last start.