Horseracing Betting Briefing: Searching for Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe clues

General / Andrew Hughes / 12 July 2008 / Leave a Comment

Andrew Hughes tells us what we can all look forward to in the upcoming week on the racing front. First up: the Irish Oaks.

We live in strange times. Historically, British racing has embraced change with all the dynamic urgency of a two toed sloth after a heavy meal. For example, when it came to assessing the state of the turf, it was once thought sufficient for a tweedy gentleman to jab the blunt end of his walking stick into the sod and pronounce his verdict with the solemn certainty of the upper classes. Well no longer.

The French came up with something called the Penetrometer (no sniggering at the back) which measures surface hardness (I said no sniggering). We couldn't bring ourselves to use something with a name like that, so these days our tweedy gentleman wields a 'Going Stick' which measures the going on a scale of 1-15. It isn't perfect, but it is a step forward. After all, legendary gambler Phil Bull reckoned that an accurate assessment of the going was the single most important piece of information that the punter could have.

Sunday 13th July

Irish Oaks day offers a mix of classy action and earthy contests. Aidan O'Brien's English Oaks runner up Moonstone heads the market for the main event and is likely to be around the [3.5] mark but the horse that was just behind her at Epsom, Katirya, is likely to attract support and could be about [5.0] And with the Guineas antepost markets in full swing, the six furlong Anglesey Stakes could provide another piece of the Newmarket jigsaw. There is also the Listed Kilboy Estate Stakes for fillies and the thrill of the Rockingham, a Premier Handicap over five furlongs, packed with an intriguing mix of experienced and well-handicapped sprinters.

Meanwhile, there is the Prix Jean Prat at Chantilly, a race that was once a stepping stone between the French 2000 Guineas and the Grand Prix de Paris. It lost some of its prestige when it moved to early July but it is nevertheless a quality Group One mile around the pastoral splendour of Chantilly featuring a number of high class animals.

Monday 14th July

Longchamp hosts the aforementioned Grand Prix de Paris. This valuable Group One is an opportunity for English and French Derby contenders to lock horns and there may even be a few Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe clues. And if you're feeling suitably adventurous, the Group Three Maurice de Nieuil is a fourteen furlong race for older French horses.

Wednesday 16th July

A nice evening meeting at Leopardstown, featuring the splendidly named Silver Flash Stakes. Upgraded to Group Three this year, this dash for two year old fillies is likely to feature some nice animals, though the seven furlongs will favour those bred for stamina. Even more stamina will be required for the other feature race of the evening, the Challenge Stakes, a Listed contest over fourteen furlongs.

Saturday 19th July

With all the big action in the south today, Newbury hosts two particularly competitive sprints. The Hackwood Stakes is a Group Three over six furlongs in which punters must weigh up the merits of younger sprinters competing against their elders for the first time.

Highlight of the day though is the Super Sprint Stakes, in which a couple of dozen speedy two year olds spread across the track and charge up the straight five furlongs. Sheer speed is the main attribute you are looking for here, though the records of trainers are worth scrutinising, none more so than Richard Hannon who has scooped this prize six times.

Newmarket's July course is also back in action and whilst this afternoon's fare is not as illustrious as the midweek meeting, there are some great betting heats. The Plantation Stud (Aphrodite) Stakes is a Listed contest for middle distance types from the better stables. There is also a Class Two handicap over a mile packed with promising three year olds and the July Course Maiden Stakes, a potentially revealing seven furlong maiden for two year olds.