Handicappers' Corner: Orfevre throws it away

We already have Dayjur in the Breeders' Cup Sprint and Antonius Pius in the French Guineas, but now you can add Orfevre to complete the unholy trinity that have managed to grab defeat from the jaws of Group 1 victory in spectacular fashion.

The Arc of 2012 won't be recalled as the one Solemia won, but as the one Orfevre lost, going two lengths clear of his rivals until hanging markedly right and idling, actually colliding with the running rail close home and collared in the dying strides.

Orfevre has shown signs of quirkiness before, virtually running out until rallying in remarkable fashion on his reappearance, whilst he also idled once hitting the front in his prep race in the Prix Foy, but any criticism of his rider is surely wide of the mark, produced to have every chance.

The way Orfevre went through most of the race confirmed that he is far superior to the rest of his rivals, making light of a supposed difficult draw and the most testing ground he'd encountered. Rated 131 prior to the Arc, there's little doubt on the back of his latest performance that he's worth that rating at the very least, his antics in the closing stages explaining why he could run to just 128 on the day.

In terms of the race as a whole, it's hard to view the 2012 Arc as anything other than below par. Last year's winner and third Danedream and Snow Fairy were both absent, whilst well-fancied Nathaniel also missed out after a late setback, and Solemia's winning effort of 125 is the lowest rating awarded to an Arc winner since the European pattern system came into existence in 1970.

The historical standards would point to rating the 2012 Arc in the 128-131 range, with prior-rating standards slightly lower in the mid-120s.

Behind the first two, the rest of the field finished well strung out, and only Masterstroke (120 from 119) and Haya Landa (115? From 110) in third and fourth enhanced their ratings, plenty seemingly failing to cope in conditions that saw the winning time of 2.37.68 the slowest recorded since Montjeu ran down Japanese raider El Condor Pasa late on in similarly testing ground in 1999.

Despite the efforts of Champions' Day, Arc day at present stands out in European racing in terms of strength in depth with seven Group 1 contents on the card, and it kicked off with the Prix de l'Abbaye.

A race usually dominated by foreign raiders, the French were able to hold on to the prize this time as Wizz Kid produced a smart turn of foot to reel back the prominent racers Mayson and Hamish McGonagal. The efforts of most of those in behind can be forgiven and it's a result that is easy enough to explain, the first and third bouncing back to their 2011 best to earn ratings of 122, Mayson running to 124 with his July Cup run downgraded 1lb to the same figure.

The Prix Marcel Boussac and Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere can often prove informative with a view to the following season's classics and this Jean-Luc Lagardere appeals as the much stronger of the two this time around.

Silasol ran to a rating of 108p in making all in the Boussac, but she was at an advantage in dictating, and the best French-trained two-year-old filly took on the colts in the Lagardere, What A Name running to 109 in chasing home Olympic Glory.

Already proven in the conditions, Olympic Glory took another step forward to run to 116, and could have a return to Longchamp for the Poulains on his agenda next spring according to his trainer. The only blip on his record is when finding only Dawn Approach too good in the Coventry.

The Prix de l'Opera was run at a strong pace, the run of things certainly suiting winner Ridasiyna more than the runner-up Izzi Top, and it is best not to take her three and a half-length victory literally. That said, there's no doubt she showed much improved form, and can certainly be treated as the best horse in the race, her rating of 123 3lb ahead of Izzi Top.

The Prix de la Foret wasn't strong by Group 1 standards, certainly compared to last year where Dream Ahead edged out Goldikova and Gordon Lord Byron didn't have to improve on his pre-race rating of 123 to gain his first success at the top level. He reflects great credit on his trainer Tom Hogan having started the season in handicaps from a mark of 88.

Finally, the Cadran did little to help establish a clear pecking order amongst the stayers, Colour Vision and Saddler's Rock again failing to match their early season form, and High Jinx again found one too good as French 4-y-o filly Molly Malone improved from 107 to 117 to land the spoils.

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