Well, I hope that there are some exciting finishes or spectacular displays on Arc Trials Day because there appears to be a distinct lack of quality and virtually no betting opportunities.
In the Prix Niel, is Makahiki the next Orfevre, or is he good enough to win the big one for Japan? I cannot imagine that he is going to be any sort of price on the PMU (or with the British bookies) and he may attract half the Japanese in Europe to Chantilly, making it very crammed! Only two of his opponents currently hold Arc entries and I would be delighted to see Midday’s son Midterm win or at least run the favourite close, just so I know that I will get a chance to recoup my lost Derby ante post money in the future.
Whether Endless Time is good enough to win the Prix Vermeille may boil down to whether the three year olds in the field are any good. The field lacks any Group 1 winners chasing a first prize of €199,990, whilst several Group 1 winners are standing in their boxes in Britain and Ireland.
Silverware ought to start favourite for the underwhelming Prix Foy, where the only other Arc entry is One Foot In Heaven. I expect this to just turn into a typical French sprint in the straight, so definitely not a betting proposition.
I cannot imagine that Vazirabad will start longer than about 1/5 on the PMU for the Prix Gladiateur after all the deductions.
The only betting race on the card is the Prix Du Moulin, starting considerably further from the windmill than it does usually! It looks like the market might be quite open with Zarak and Vadamos in the mix but my preference is for course and distance Prix Jean Prat winner ZELZAL, from the all-conquering Jean-Claude Rouget stable. He will collect this on his way to Ascot for a shot at the QEII, sponsored by his owner.
For what it is worth, I expect Churchill to beat Mehmas in the National Stakes at Leopardstown but I do not think it will be shown at Chantilly!
Will I never learn? 5 Subjective(J P Spencer, 1/3 fav)