Events / Graham Cunningham / 02 October 2009 /

Mission one is to go steady on the drink; mission two is to find a place to watch the British racing; and mission three is to pinpoint a worthwhile punting angle or three. Racing UK analyst Graham Cunningham has his plan firmly in place for day one of Arc weekend at Longchamp. Now all he has to do is execute it.

The good news is that there is no finer place than Longchamp racecourse to enjoy a quiet drink and some top-class racing on the Saturday of Arc weekend.

But the bad news is that one quiet drink can easily lead to several much noisier ones, especially when noted socialisers like Alan Brazil and Ronnie Irani are part of the gang you are travelling with.

Still, what can go wrong if you put a firm plan in place designed to take in the best of the action on both sides of the Channel?

Plenty is the short answer, but here goes with a list of Do's and Don'ts (which may of course be subject to severe alterations as the day wears on) for both Longchamp and Newmarket.

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1.50 - Newmarket - Timeform Fillies' 800

Don't be too keen to oppose Lillie Langtry in Newmarket's Timeform Fillies' 800. Granted, Aidan O'Brien's filly faces a massive field, but Lillie Langtry is head and shoulders above the vast majority on form. Jira should go well again, while Pink Symphony is a potential improver at a big price, but Lillie Langtry is a proven Pattern race filly who looks very hard to oppose even at skinny odds.

2.25 - Newmarket - Timeform Million

Do be a shade wary of Alfred Nobel despite the fact that he has much the highest rating of any runner in the Timeform Million. I don't doubt that this colt is good enough to go very close, but he has looked increasingly quirky on his last two starts and I'm wary. Society Rock and Take Ten fought out a close finish to another big Sales race here, but this extra furlong is a concern for both. However, the useful Atlantis Star and the fast-improving Markazzi will both relish this stiff seven and a split stakes win bet involving both might be the canny call here.

2.40 - Longchamp - Prix de la Foret

Some might say Goldikova isn't ideally drawn for the Foret on the outer in stall 14, but she could probably start at the mile start and still beat this lot she's if she's in the sort of form she showed to pulp a good field at Deauville on her latest start.
It's unlikely she will be a serious betting proposition at very skinny odds, but you don't need to lump on to enjoy a true star and that is exactly what she is.
If the favourite does bomb out for some reason then this will become wide open. Cat Junior ought to run well with Frankie aboard for the first time, while Border Patrol is an improver and Oiseau De Feu holds a clear chance based on his best French form over a mile.

3.00 - Newmarket - Sun Chariot Stakes

Don't get too heavily involved in the Sun Chariot Stakes at 3.00. Ghanaati is plainly the form choice based on her commanding Coronation Stakes win, but she failed to build on that in the Sussex Stakes and [2.5] doesn't look a bargain. The rejuvenated Fantasia is one potential danger, while Strawberrydaiquiri has been mighty impressive in trouncing Listed-class rivals. If pushed I might go for a small lay of the jolly at tight odds. And if pushed harder I might nominate Strawberrydaiquiri as the each way alternative.

3.15 - Longchamp - Prix de Royallieu

The Prix de Royallieu looks another race with limited punting appeal, but I suspect a small place lay of British raider Charity Belle might pay off. John Gosden's filly improved to win a Group 3 at Deauville but seemed helped by setting a steady gallop. There will be more pressure on the pace this time, and the opposition is stiffer given the presence of Tanoura, Plumania and the exciting holdup filly Daryakana.

3.40 - Newmarket - Cambridgeshire Handicap

I would be lying if I said I have gone through the entire Cambridgeshire field with a FTC (fine tooth comb) for this charge of the light brigade. However, I have watched Sirvino's rampage through the handicap with keen interest this season. I suspect he is still handicapped to go close despite being hiked another 9lb for his York win, while Hillview Boy isn't fully exposed and looks the sort to go well at a massive price.

Laying for a place always holds some appeal in massive fields and I will probably be tempted to oppose Charm School and Royal Destination. Charm School is in good heart but looks priced more on Gosden's recent record in this than his own profile, while Royal Destination took a step backwards at Newbury last time and will need to be much sharper in an even hotter race here.

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