The Wine Tipster: “Whilst this will be the quickest ground she’s come up against she is surely the one to beat”

THE 2023 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is a fascinating renewal with a potential superstar in the favourite Ace Impact, who won the Prix du Jockey Club by three lengths to make it five successive wins. This three-year-old could win by five lengths, however the question here is about him getting the trip, as he tries a one mile and four furlongs for the first time. He could easily prove us wrong, however I prefer to look elsewhere in a field where a case can be made for each runner in what is surely the most intriguing Arc for some years.

It is important to point out that at the time of writing on Friday morning that the forecast is dry for Longchamp with no rain forecast until next Tuesday and the temperatures are high too. By Sunday the course will be good to firm, which defies recent times and the Longchamp team have said that they won’t be watering. This is clearly going to favour some contenders more than others and let’s hope the ground isn’t too quick for Hukum, who though certainly coped with fast going in the Brigadier Gerard at Sandown.

Enjoy the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe 2023 whether at Longchamp or watching #athome on ITV Racing.

Santé!

The Wine Tipster

1.15 Longchamp – Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere Group 1 (7f)

Ballymount Boy was second to Vandeek (ran Saturday Newmarket Middle Park Stakes) in the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood, which just looks better and better given the exploits of the winner. Ballymount Boy backed it up with another excellent effort when upped to 7f (and quicker ground) in the Acomb Stakes at the Ebor Festival when runner-up. His form really isn’t far behind the best of these and given he’s no ground issues, he’s fully deserving of his place here.

1.50 Longchamp – Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac Group 1 (1m)

Darnation has impressed and improved with every start this season, with form figures of 3111. She was a ready winner of the Prestige Fillies’ Stakes Group 3 at Goodwood, showing a smart turn of foot late on and then she was better again when a very easy winner of the May Hill Stakes Group 2 at Doncaster.  Darnation looks like doing even better for a mile, whilst this will be the quickest ground she’s come up against she is surely the one to beat.

3.05 Longchamp – Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Group 1 (1m 4f)

Continuous was supplemented by the Aidan O’Brien team for the Arc on the back of his impressive St Leger win on the soft at Doncaster. This was another up step up following his smooth Great Voltigeur success at the Ebor Festival on good to firm over today’s trip, where he demonstrated that he was going to progress rapidly. Admittedly the statistics are against him with no St Leger winner winning the Arc in the same season, however at York he showed his tremendous ability over this trip and the quick ground will certainly suit him, whilst stall 7 is a good draw.

Through Seven Seas from stall 5 has a strong chance of giving Japan their first ever Arc winner with the very experienced Christophe Lemaire booked for the ride. This five-year-old mare has won only at Group 3 level, however she ran Equinox, seen by many as the world’s best racehorse, to a neck in a Group 1 at Hanshin in June on her first start after a 106-day break. This was a very competitive race and Through Seven Seas came from right of the back of the field, which is impressive in itself. Through Seven Seas is making her first appearance since then, she goes well fresh, and the quick going is very much in her favour.

4.25 Longchamp – Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp Longines Group 1 (5f)

Moss Tucker missed the break last year and that was basically game over, but all the same was beaten under three lengths, doing some good late work. He has really found his form on his last two starts and won the Group 1 Flying Five at Curragh with a strong finish. He holds Highfield Princess (poorly drawn here) and a few others on that form so as long as he gets away on terms he has an excellent chance. The ground should be spot on too.

The Wine Tipster’s Fourfold

Mon dieu! The champagne corks could well and truly be popping in Paris if this one romps home!

Roll all four selections from our red-hot tipster into an acca and that currently pays 2196/1 – £5 each way potentially returns £11,109.24 if they come in!

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