Off the top of my head Ebaziyan springs to mind.I think he was a product of the Aga Khan breeding operation. Ruler of the World impressive there regardless of the result and he's bound to improve from that. Amazing to see the Japanese Derby winner running against the Epsom Derby winner..the world really is getting smaller.
Bloody good trial. The Japanese horse looked to be cruising till 2 out but plugged on well enough. Ruler of the World was tremendous. Flintshire was beaten miles out.
None of them have a chance in the Arc, Ruler of The World 7/1 Treve is the one, take the 8s, her turn of foot is exceptional, she took 2 seconds of the track record in the Prix de Diane, if she gets the 1m4 she will take all the beating in the Arc. Im not 100% convinced about her stamina yet as she has so much speed, but for me she has more class than any of the 3yo colts so I had to take the chance.
Flintshire has never looked anything other than a galloper to me, decent animal but never an Arc winner, he doesnt have the tools to get out of trouble, Ocavango got no run the day Flintshire won last time and today was his first real test against anything decent. He had no excuses and even though he wouldnt have been 100%, he would have to have beaten that lot to have any chance against the likes of Orfevre and Novellist.
Taking a chance on Maxios 10/1 in the Moulin, didnt run his race at Ascot for whatever reason, had a nice break and although the trip is sharp enough for him, its hardly a vintage Group 1. The ground is probably against Flotilla although I respect both her and Style Vendome. Olympic Glory ran well in a strong race last time, he goes on the ground and looks the one to beat but that was a very strongly run race last time that he is unlikely to get here and I find it easy enough to take him on at evens. If Maxios can get a nice position he has a decent turn of foot on soft ground and could steal it. Orfevre is one of the best horses in the world, he has a huge engine, but he has had problems and he might not be at his best today, he is no betting proposition at 8/11 anyway and im taking him on with Mandour 7/1. He was held up last in a slowly run race last time but stayed on well and wasnt given a hard time, hes by Smart Strike but seems to handle soft ok and the son of the class Mandesha could improve for the step up to 1m4. With that in mind, ive flung a couple of quid e/w on him for the Arc at 66s although I would be amazed if he was involved in the finish on the big day.
Some serious horses coming out of Japan the last couple of years Dex I was watching lots of Spanish football last night - was very impressed by both Villareal against Real Madrid and Sevilla against Barca - some real strength in depth in La Liga
6/4 There is your arc winner ladies n gents, went a crawl, had to get out of trouble, done it easily. Best French filly since Zarkava. Hope you took the 8s
Sure is Oddy...Villarreal particularly impressive since they came from La Segunda. The fabulous Athletic have their historic first match tomorrow evening in San Mames Barria,the new stadium which has only three sides at the moment,the fourth side being completed on part of the recently demolished old stadium which was the oldest in Spain. We'll probably get chinned!
I know they went a crawl, that makes what she done even more impressive, ive absolutely no worries about stamina after that, and she will be even better on better ground. Good horses overcome trouble in running and as Head-Maarek said before this, good horses win on any ground. She has everything you need for the Arc and she showed it all today. Starting to think Novellist was too good to be true at Ascot, and im not convinced Orfevre will be the same horse from last year. With the weight allowance and her class, they are going to need to go some to get her beat. If Orfevre isnt impressive today, Treve will be a strong fav in France on the day.
Orfevre ambled up on the snaff. Not beaten much but very classy. Will take a good un to lower his colours in the Arc. Hotting up to be a real good Arc this year
Only winding...she looked good and possesses impressive tactical speed meaning she even may even overcome a bad draw if that is a variable on the day.
That was nice from Orfevre, very nice, not much of a race and he was well positioned but he done it very easily. Shows hes in decent nick at least.
Going against Oddy and the potentially well treated The Real Article with Alpine Eagle e/w @14/1 in the 5.10 Listowel. A really competitive h'cap and AE looks fair enough off 130,down 4lb's from last seasons 'chase mark,after a nice pipe opener over hurdles recently. Worth a sporting few quid.
I'm on a terrible losing streak am struggling to pick my nose at the moment.... However I'm having a little go on Red Cadeaux 6/1 in the Irish Ledger
