I am close to finalising my "Arcfolio" and am just waiting to see how the ground is riding tomorrow.
I have decided not to wait, I expect give in the ground and, if the times today prove me wrong, I'll revise the following opinion, but, as it stands....
This isn't a vintage Arc renewal, it's open, but that's what makes it interesting as a punter.
But that doesn't mean the value is at the bigger prices - White Birch would be an interesting one at a longer price if he gets his ground, but the trip might be far enough and is he quite good enough?
Minnie Hauk is the only in the field who might be better than she's shown so far and we all want her to win so Slim can eat.
But I just wonder if easy ground is ideal for her, she bounced off quick ground at York and for me she might be the wrong favourite.
Aventure has a jolly's chance in a 4/1 the field open race for me, there is nothing not to like about her.
Runner up last year in this, beating Los Angeles and Sosie fair and square, then this year runner up to Calandagan in the Grand Prix De Saint-Cloud and beat Gezora emphatically in the Prix Vermeille.
If Survie or Bedtime Story (related contingency double material) win today, she may shorten further and a big field is no bother to her.
But she's not my main bet.
Some doubt how genuine she is, but Kalpana at 10/1 is my idea of the value.
Runner up in the King George to Calandagan, closer to the gelding than Aventure got at Saint-Cloud and will appreciate easier ground here.
The September Stakes just didn't go her way, she's way better than that, and if she hadn't run in it she'd be half the price she is.
If I'm right about the ground, you can forget the winner that day at Kempton Park, along with the Japanese runners.
Kalpana and Aventure have the best Group 1 form for 1m4f on an easy surface and the still unexposed Minnie Hauk is the only one with the potential to be better than them.
Fillies have a decent enough Arc record and I'm going for a 1-2-3 here.
Stand by for a complete
volte face if the course record gets smashed in the Chaudenay!