Jane Mangan’s William Hill Blog: Arc Weekend Preview

Jane Mangan’s William Hill Blog: Los Angeles poised to become the king of Paris 

Jane Mangan delves into an exhilarating weekend of racing, starting with the feature Sun Chariot at Newmarket on Saturday, before shifting attention to the prestigious Arc at Longchamp on Sunday.

Saturday, Newmarket

I’m going to start the weekend blog with the feature race from Newmarket, the Sun Chariot (2.40 pm). Tamfana is having her sixth run of the season, but she has held her form really well. She ran a cracker in the Grand Prix de Paris, which is a piece of form being put to the test in the Arc by Sosie. She finished with a flurry that day over a mile and a half, and since then she has dropped down to a mile in the Atalanta last time at Sandown and was well on top of the Royal Ascot winner, Doha. Her Group 1 form against colts and geldings is consistently solid this season, which cannot be said for her contemporaries Inspiral and Nashwa, both five-year-olds. This age group has a very poor record in this race; it’s not since Esoterique in 2015 that a five-year-old has won the race. I think this is a plum spare for Colin Keane, and I believe Tamfana can give David Menuisier that elusive Group 1 win this season.

Saturday, Longchamp

Saturday at Longchamp promises exciting action with two Group 1 races, but I’m particularly drawn to the Group 2 Prix Dollar (4:35 pm), where I believe Jayarebe has a strong chance. In his last outing, he faced Economics in the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano. Notably, he also clinched victory in the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot. This time, he’s up against the seasoned six-year-old Anmat. Despite the age difference, I’m backing the young legs of Jayarebe to prevail.

Sunday, Longchamp 

My tip for the Arc (3:20pm) on Sunday is Los Angeles, whose form this season has been consistently impressive. He showed his capabilities by finishing third in the Derby at Epsom, where he was used as a pacemaker. In the Irish Derby, he outclassed his rivals, and his performance in the Voltigeur demonstrated his staying power. What started as a trial run for France turned into a solid performance in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, despite the insufficient distance, as he finished behind Economics. I have no concerns about him stepping back up to a mile and a half or the ground conditions. He won a Group 2 on heavy going as a two-year-old and claimed the Irish Derby on good ground, showcasing his versatility. With Ryan Moore aboard, I believe Los Angeles is poised to become the king of Paris.

In 2007, a relatively unknown filly named Zarkava won the Prix Marcel Boussac; she was very well known in 2008 when she came back and completed her unbeaten record by winning the Arc in 2008. Sixteen years later, her granddaughter Zarigana returns to the scene of the first crime, in the Prix Marcel Boussac (12:55 pm). She was good at Chantilly in July, and she was ultra-impressive at Longchamp in September, and I have a funny feeling she possesses a freakish level of ability. I hope she can prove it on Sunday; I think she’s a class apart.

The Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère (1:30 pm) features a first-time seven furlongs for Rashabar, who finished a strong second behind Whistlejacket over six furlongs in the Prix Morny. Notably, the third filly that day, Daylight, went on to secure second place in the Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket last week. I believe Rashabar should have no problem finding the extra furlong, especially considering he is out of a Camelot mare. He also beat Electrolyte in the Coventry, who is currently one of the most exciting two-year-olds in Britain. With this in mind, I think Brian Meehan has every chance of bringing the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère back to the UK.

As always, the Prix de l’Abbaye (2:05 pm) has attracted a large field of 16 runners, typical for a sprint. Believing has been unlucky in her last two sprints, particularly at the Curragh, where she finished behind Bradsell. Now, with a favourable draw of five, I think she and Billy Loughnane have every chance of finally securing that elusive Group 1 win and gaining a bit of compensation for her recent misfortunes.

The Prix de l’Opéra (4:05 pm) is a fascinating and dynamic race, especially with Ryan Moore opting for Ylang Ylang, the filly who finished strongly in the Matron Stakes, defeating the Yorkshire Oaks winner Content, who is now dropping down two furlongs in distance. Speaking of changes in trip, my pick for the race is Fallen Angel, who finished second after making the running at Leopardstown. I believe the extra distance will really suit her, especially since she hasn’t had a busy season since winning the Irish Guineas at the beginning of the summer.