Arc day review: Three things we learned at Longchamp

Albigna is a genuine 1000 Guineas contender

Albigna’s big reputation took a bit of a hit when she finished a tame sixth in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh last month but her strong-staying display to win the Prix Marcel Boussac has marked her down as a genuine classic contender.

A steady pace at the Curragh didn’t play to the strengths of the strong, rangy Albigna. However, the Prix Marcel Boussac, contested over a furlong further and run on more testing ground, provided a much stiffer test, which suited Albigna and allowed her to build on the promise she had displayed on her first two outings.

The way she powered through the line was impressive and she ought to be a big player in the 1000 Guineas next year, particularly if the emphasis is on stamina.

One Master is a serious contender for the Champions Sprint

One Master’s defeat of City Light in the Prix de la Foret appeals as strong form, the two market principals drawing clear of the in-form Speak In Colours and soft-ground specialist Safe Voyage in the seven-furlong Group 1.

The five-year-old One Master, who also won last year’s Foret, had shown she was as least as good as ever this year with narrow defeats in the Queen Anne and Falmouth Stakes over a mile. But, given the turn of foot she showed at Longchamp, perhaps a stiff six furlongs, on likely testing ground, at Ascot on Champions Day will provide a sufficient test. After you factor in her sex allowance she ranks prominently on weight-adjusted ratings.

Stradivarius would have been a very interesting Arc runner

How would Stradivarius have fared in this year’s Arc? We’ll never know but testing ground placed the emphasis firmly on stamina and Stradivarius, the undisputed staying king, would have been an interesting contender. He’s earned a Timeform rating of 128, so would have needed a career best to have won the Arc, which sounds somewhat implausible. However, he’s racked up a sequence of ten wins in succession, looking in complete control for all five victories this season, so perhaps he could have taken his form to another level if given the opportunity.

If Stradivarius continues to swat aside all opposition in the staying division next year he will hopefully be given a chance to prove himself against the best over a mile and a half.