Mandour (4), Royer Dupre 120p,, very lightly raced, very good pedigree and has scope to go to the top, not sure to stay 12f. Interesting long shot.
NOVELLIST (4), A. Wohler, 122p, one of the best 3yo in Europe last season, good run first time out in the season, goes well on good but could prove better on softer ground, german horses tend to improve with age, one for the short list.
CAMELOT (4), A. Obrien, 120?, overrated since his 2yo campaign, lucky to win a very weak editions of the Guineas, Derby and Irish Derby, had a colic in Winter, workmanlike first time out and well beaten by Al Kazeen, no chance for me.
ST NICHOLAS ABBEY (6), A. Obrien, 129, top class, operating at his best as a 6yo, his best conditions are left handed and gf ground and uses to come to the Arc overcooked, I think they should focus in the Breeders Cup and Japan Cup where he could have a better chance than here.
AL KAZEEM (5) Royer Charlton 123+t?, promising 3yo, impressive last year in his only outing , in the sidelines for a year, 2 wins this years over 10f, won cozily the Sandown group , with Hamdams horse boosting the form at Ascot. Ridden with confidence at the Curragh, form not easy to rate and could be a better suited by 10f rather than the mile and a half.
EISHIN (6), good form in Japan, unlikely to be good enough.
MAXIOS (5) J. Pease,124+t , good pedigree, horse with a past of problems, has a very good turn of foot and goes on most grounds, some doubts about stamina.
ORFEVRE (5) Y. Ikee 130+$, I still have some nightmares with last years run but its time to turn page, hugely talented horse, likely to be the best horse in the world now , it has been a really surprising news for me that he has stayed in training, after last years antics in the race in spring, the Arc and the Japan Cup but they must believe the world about him, I have the feeling he could be even better over 10f , but he has shown enough good form over 12f to win a normal Arc, seeing Soumillon interview in RUK it seems what happened werenot only his quirks and that he had a problem, he goes on any ground and looks C. Soumillon will be on him again. At this moment the most likely winner but I don’t think the price is going to contract in the next month and a half.
ROMANTICA (4), A. Fabre 120p, what a pedigree, she was promising as a 3yo, has improved as a 4yo, he looks like a twin of his mother and as her she needs fast ground, so her last run under a penalty was a good one, being owned by Abdullah is a very unlikely runner but if the ground is fast I think she has the ability to win an Arc.
RIDASIYNA (4) M. Delzangles 120, good 3yo last season, good form on soft ground , unlikely to be involved.
SNOW FAIRY (6) Ed Dunlop 125, globetrotting mare, with good ability, I think she has other races that will suit her better. Past of injuries makes her a tricky antepost proposition.
THE FUGUE (4) J. Gosden,119, not seen out this year , good to firm is a must and likely not to run or be good enough.
GENTILDONNA (4), 124+, top class japannese mare, was not at her best in the Dubai race when she seemed not to enjoy the ground, his japanesse form is very good and on her high level she has a chance.
ZAIDIYN (3) M. Delzangles 105++, I have a very good feeling with this one, in the same pedigree cross of Zarkava, 3 runs, makes debut on a small track, won impressively on his next outing in a traditionally good race at Longchamp, goes next to the Hoqart where he given a pathetic ride by Lemaire on ground too fast and not given the chance to win in a slowly run raced drop in the field, I have the feeling he is a gr1 horse on soft ground and I would not be surprised he is the best Aga Khan horse in October.
Sky Hunter (3), A. Fabre 118p, improved form last time out in the Jockey Club, in good hands and likely to improve up in trip , but at the moment I don’t fancy him.
DAWN APPROACH (3) ,J. Bolger, 126+t ,unlikely runner, does not stay 12f.
MAGICIAN (3) A. Obrien 125p, impressive in his 2 runs this season, unlikely to be running over 12f this season but at this moment he looks the top 3yo in Europe.
MARS (3) A. Obrien, 115P, looks a 10f horse, not given the best of rides in the Derby, not overbig but can improve being so lightly raced.
KIZUNA (3), 120p*, looks the best 3yo in Japan , good pedigree, style of racing makes him a risky proposition in big fields , looks like coming to the Arc via Niel and if finding some improvement could be interesting.
KINGSBARNS (3) A. Obrien, (119p),as a 2yo he looked Ballydoyle Derby horse, injury problems, not for me at the moment.
RULER OF THE WORLD (3) A. Obrien, 119p, improving lightly raced Derby winner, showed good tactical speed in the Epsom Derby, good pedigree, not good enough for me at the moment.
INTELLO. (3), A. Fabre 122p, improving in every race, classy , with a turn of foot, it looks like the Arc will not be his target as Fabre is having the JLM as his next target, if he were going to be his Arc horse he would run in the Grand Prix de Paris and Niel. In case they turn the idea, he would need fast ground. Unlikely winner at the moment for me.
FLOTILLA(3) 120p M. Delzangles, unlikely runner, looks like 8-10f will be her range, firm ground is a must. Likely winner of the diane or Coronation St but this could proved too tough for a 3yo fillie.
Talent (3) R. Beckett, 116p, has scope, good nce in a race run to suit, unlikely to be an Arc fillie.
Esoterique (3), A. Fabre 118p, good french form, will be targeted the Diane, can improve but prefer others.
At the moment Orfevre is my clear pick.
