Arc trials at Longchamp

an excellent day´s racing at Longchamp, with the three Arc trials, all over the same CD as the big race itself, which is run in 3 weeks time, hogging the headlines. Best race is the Group One Prix Vermeille for fillies and mares at 16.40. Last year the unbeaten Zarkava won this en route to her Arc victory, and hopes are high that Stacelita (Jean-Claude Rouget/ Christophe Lemaire) can emulate her. The daughter of Monsun has done nothing wrong so far, but faces strong opposition today from Dar Re Mi (John Gosden/ Jimmy Fortune), an excellent runner-up last year to Zarkava, and winner of two Group Ones this season. Of the two German runners Soberiana (Andreas Wöhler( Johan Victoire), runner-up in the Preis der Diana, is easily preferred to Umirage (Hans Blume/ Thierry Thulliez), but she, another one of the five Monsuns in the race, would probably prefer softer ground and the same goes for Gestüt Schlenderhan´s Kalla (André Fabre/ Maxime Guyon). The Prix Niel for 3yo´s at 16.10 has been the best guide to the Arc in recent years, and 4 winners have gone on to Arc glory already this century. Andre´ Fabre has an excellent record here and saddles two runners in the Godolphin colours, with Frankie Dettori partnering Cavalryman, winner of the Grand Prix de Paris last time. In that occasion Beheshtam (Alain de Royer-Dupré/ Lemaire) was a disappointing favourite, but the Aga Khan runner is expected to out that right today. The POrix Foy for older horses at 16.40 should lie between Vision d´Etat (Eric Libaud/ Olivier Peslier), winner of the Niel last year and most recently a Group One winner at Royal Ascot, and the Abdullah pair Crossharbour (Fabre/ Stephane Pasquier) and Spanish Moon (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore). Also of interest is the Prix du Petit Couvert over 5 furlongs at 15.35, a trial for the Abbaye. Rupert Plersch´s War Artist (James Eustace/ Peslier) won so well at Baden-Baden that he can follow up here, with Benbaum (Kevin Ryan/ Jamie Spence r), who won the Abbaye 2 years ago, the obvious danger. The Prix Gladiateur over 3100 metres at 17.10 as a trial for thr Cadran; Kasbah Bliss (Francois Doumen/ Thulliez) won this last year and may be able to follow up. Werner Baltromei runs Tiger Village (Dominique Boeuf) in the tiercé handicap for 3y´s over 200 metres at 15.08 and he is expected to figure prominently.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Lope De Vega - Menelas - Heaven`S Heart
2. Race: Delvita - War Artist - Stern Opinion
3. Race: Savoie - Seabreeze d`Ho - Mina Hill
4. Race: Stacelita - Kalla - Plumania
5. Race: Cavalryman - Beheshtam - Telluride
6. Race: Vision D`Etat - Magadan - Crossharbour
7. Race: Bassel - Quartz Jem - Candy Gift
8. Race: Milford Sound - Shemiyla - Eastern Joy
9. Race: Phoenix King - Ciccio Bello - Sapfo