Best Weekend Racing Bets: A 10/1 Arc contender to back now plus a pair of Saturday plays at Ascot

Sunday October 4, Longchamp, 17:00 - Prix de L'arc de Triomphe Tip: Back Varandir EW @ 10/111.00

Paris has been basking in the sun so the characteristically slow ground won't be likely for Sunday at Longchamp. This year's Arc brings into play those that skipped England's oldest Classic in favour of a French sortie.

Yes, I'm looking at you Maltese Cross.

It will also suit the defending champion Daryz and 7/42.75 plays 5/16.00 although the champ in the harmonious green and red silks won't mind the deluge that is forecast for Wednesday.

With that, and the draw to come on Thursday, I can happily skip both in favour of something at a bigger price to go each-way. Although the field was whittled down to 15 at the latest forfeit stage to scupper those looking for four places.

Stats are there to be broken if you fancy one of the Japanese contenders. It's now 0-38 chasing that elusive prize, but Ado McGuinness bucked the Irish trainer trend at the weekend the Cambridgeshire.

The more I look at Varandir the more I like his price at 10/111.00.

He won the Prix Niel earlier in September and with the way he breezed past the Derby winner/runner that never was in Benvenuto Cellini was impressive. A small field wouldn't have suited Varandir, but a pacemaker who went off like the clappers helped, and into the straight, once Varandir was asked, he ate up the ground.

A Prix Niel winner coming into an Arc has to be taken seriously and it usually denotes a stayer - as the plodder Rail Link took the Niel/Arc double 20 years ago.

Varandir looks better than a plodder and his fourth to Maltese Cross in the Grand Prix De Paris was by a whisker, in a messy race and the first four home were covered by no more than quilt.

His Prix Hocquart win over slightly shorter was impressive as he took a while to pick up, and he had to motor on the inside, and on that evidence he won't be lacking for stamina. A kind draw will obviously be nice.

Saturday October 3, Ascot, 14:25 - Cumberland Lodge Stakes Tip: Back Aegean Prince @ 9/43.25

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Aegean Prince

• J: Billy Loughnane
• T: Charlie Appleby
• F: 31/12-1

A handicapping performance right out of the top drawer was the description of Aegean Prince's victory in the Betfair Exchange Old Borough Cup last time, and he is rightly the 9/43.25 favourite for this weekend's Cumberland Lodge.

The going at Haydock was a leveller for most as the times indicated heavy, while visually it looked like Bristol De Mai was ready to join in.

Aegean Prince took a handy position to the right-hand side of the group into the straight and Ashnak, who clearly looks a bridle horse now, was cruising with 3f to go. Aegean Prince was shaken up, and proceeded to win hard held, eased down, by 7L.

A rise of 11lb puts handicaps out of the question and while he has a three-time winner of the race Al Qareem in opposition, Aegean Prince improved for the step up to 1m6f, his only try thus far over the distance on his only run this year.

Charlie Appleby has obviously clicked, finally, in terms of form and at the time of writing was operating at 48%.

Aegean Prince won a novice at Ascot on good ground over 1m4f last term, so while a year older, shouldn't have too much of an issue back down in distance for Saturday.

Saturday, Ascot, 15:35, 7f Challenge Cup Handicap Tip: Back Two Tribes EW @ 25/126.00

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Two Tribes

• J: Toby Moore
• T: Richard Spencer
• F: 00720530

Two Tribes has an entry in the Group 2 Daniel Wildenstein on Saturday but surely he'll take in Ascot and a track he has won at rather than have no chance in a Group 2?

That's the thinking anyway at 25/126.00, although we had a touch of ill luck with last week's two headline picks in the Cambridgeshire as Tycoon was absent and Pathein was eventually a non-runner.

Two Tribes pulled off the Moet and Chandon International and Stewards Cup double last summer - over 7f and 6f off marks of 90 and 95, but save for a solitary success in Meydan in the winter, has been struggling for consistency.

The odd bright spot has come, though, and this year's season's efforts while winless saw him place in the Moet race again, second from 102 defending his crown, and third to Thunder Call over the CD earlier in September.

Thunder Call looked a class act upped in in trip for that win, but Two Tribes goes well here and the booking of Toby Moore adds some spice to the bet with 5lb and the drier the days from Wednesday onwards the better for his chances.

Alan Dudman's notable antepost winners in 2026

January: The Doyen Chief Kempton WON 7/2
Vincenzo, Ascot, WON 3/1
Scorsese, Cheltenham PLACED 12/1
February: Kalium, Ascot, PLACED 12/1
Montregard, Ascot, WON [6/]
Grand Geste, Haydock, EW WON 12/1
Lookaway, Kempton, EW WON 16/1
March: Pina Sonata, Kempton, WON 8/1
April: Favour And Fortune, Aintree, PLACED 14/1
Konfusion, Aintree, PLACED 12/1
Whip Cracker, Newbury, PLACED 10/1
Sarab Star, Haydock, PLACED 10/1
President Scottie, Perth, PLACED 12/1
May/June: Washington Heights, WON 5/1
Thundering On, Epsom, WON 11/2
July: Team Player PLACED 16/1
August: Calendar Girl EW WON 14/1
September: Fondo Blanco EW PLACED 16/1
Pellitory EW WON 40/1

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