Parislongchamp 05 October 2014
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A pulsating renewal of this prestigious sprint, which has been won by UK or Irish-based trainers in eight of the last ten runnings. Last year's winner Maarek bids to defend his crown, but the soft ground he craves isn't certain to materialise this time around and SOLE POWER may therefore emerge as the pick of the Irish raiders. He's been beaten in this contest three times before but the ground is likely to be more to his liking this time and he may be capable of tasting further top-flight success in a season that has already yielded Group 1 glory in the King's Stand and Nunthorpe. Last year's runner-up Catcall is nominated as the main danger. He travelled so strongly last year, but hit the front a fraction too soon and was picked off close home. His rider will likely have no option other than to deliver him late this time though, given his wide draw, and he could be weaving through the pack late on to pick off any tiring rivals.
ERVEDYA didn't enjoy a clear passage when tasting defeat for the first time in the Prix Morny and is fancied to get back on track with a smoother run here. A half-sister to two winners beyond a mile, the extra yardage shouldn't represent a problem, and she won't mind if the rain arrives. Found looks the biggest danger after she took a huge leap forward from maiden company to finish a close third in the Moyglare. Jack Naylor is another Irish raider with solid claims after she carried a penalty to success at the Curragh and Shahah beat a couple of reopposing rivals when landing a Chantilly Group 3 on her first start for a new yard and may have more improvement to come.
This could well be fought out by THE WOW SIGNAL and Gleneagles with narrow preference for the former. He exploded on to the scene at Royal Ascot when running out an impressive winner of the Coventry and he has since followed up with a Group 1 success in the Morny at Deauville. He displayed a determined attitude that day on unsuitably soft ground and he is open to further progress now upped to 7f. Gleneagles has improved with every start but he needs fast ground to be at his best and he is unlikely to get that here. His form is solid without being outstanding and he has yet to face the calibre of opposition that lie in wait here. Full Mast got the run of things last time but he is lightly raced and open to plenty of improvement. Solario Stakes winner Aktabantay is on an upward curve but needs to take a considerable step forward to land this.
Like her aunt Soviet Song, Ribbons is tough and possesses plenty of ability and it was impossible not to be impressed with the manner of her victory in the Prix Jean Romanet (Narniyn fourth). She looks all set to run another huge race, while Sultanina may benefit from dropping back to a similar trip as when beating Narniyn by one and a half lengths in the Nassau Stakes. We Are is difficult to evaluate having been disqualified for two victories earlier in the year (including the Prix Saint-Alary) for testing positive to abnormal levels of testosterone and she didn't look the same animal when returning in Listed company last month, with Hadaatha, a progressive daughter of Sea The Stars, and German raider Feodora appealing more. The vote, however, goes to the Dermot Weld-trained TARFASHA. Her second behind leading Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe fancy Taghrooda in the Investec Oaks at Epsom in June is the one piece of stand-out form on offer and she banished a disappointing effort in the Irish Oaks from the memory when impressively regaining the winning thread in Group 2 company at the Curragh last time.
Maybe not a vintage Arc, but there is no shortage of interest surrounding what looks a fiercely competitive renewal. The English challenge is headed by Epsom Oaks and King George winner Taghrooda and there were plausible excuses for her latest defeat at the hands of Tapestry, herself supplemented for this race by the Coolmoore operation earlier in the week. The former has been done no favours by a wide draw while Kingston Hill has fared even worse on that score, stall number 20 meaning the St Leger winner will have to break from widest of all. A better draw should ensure last month's Prix Foy winner Ruler Of The World can take a prominent position once more and he could take some passing with a light campaign this year sure to be of benefit. Harp Star looks the pick of the Japanese contingent having beaten the reopposing Gold Ship last time while another three-year-old filly, the unbeaten Avenir Certain, holds strong claims having landed the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and Prix de Diane already this term. Good ground could see Flintshire prove best of the outsiders while last year's breathtaking winner Treve cannot be written off just yet, despite enduring a bitterly disappointing campaign so far. However, sporting the same colours, ECTOT is hard to get away from having enjoyed a perfect preparation for the big day, beating high class miler Karakontie over that trip here back in the spring before returning to land the Prix Niel, the strongest of the trials run this year, in fine style last month. Given the dominance three-year-olds have had over this race in recent years, he ticks plenty of boxes.
DAHOR DE BRUGERE numbered Valentin and Al Moutawakila among his victims when scoring here on Arc Trials day and can confirm that superiority. Al Tair, Sivit Al Maury and Al Hibaab have to enter the reckoning as well.
Gordon Lord Byron ran his heart out when defending his crown in last year's renewal but just didn't have any answers for the brilliant Moonlight Cloud. Olympic Glory won the QEII on soft ground at Ascot this time last year and must be considered following a creditable effort behind Kingman in the Jacques Le Marois (Anodin second). Custom Cut arrives in the form of his career and impressed when completing a five-timer in the Joel Stakes, but KARAKONTIE beat Noozhoh Canarias in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere on this card 12 months ago and he gets the vote. The lightly-raced three-year-old justified favouritism in the French 2000 Guineas here in May and can be forgiven his French Derby reverse on the basis that the drop back in trip should bring out the best in him.
PALE MIMOSA has the best form on offer and she could have too much for her rivals in the final Group 1 on the card. A reproduction of her victory in the Lonsdale Cup should suffice and she has every chance of seeing out this longer trip. If she doesn't stay, however, it could be left to last year's winner Altano to pick up the pieces. He had a terrific prep race at Deauville and will be staying on when others have cried enough. High Jinx is back to form and can't be ruled out with Ryan Moore aboard. Whiplash Willie ran a personal-best last time and is capable of playing a part as well.
QUATORZE was most impressive when winning a similar handicap here last month and that confidence-boosting success could prove to be the catalyst for more. Of the others, Deauville winner Cantabrico and course scorer Wahib can also make their presence felt.
