Timeform Runners Guide: Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe

DEFOE   (Roger Varian)

Won four out of five starts last season, only defeat coming when tailed off in St Leger. Resumed progress this season, winning John Porter Stakes at Newbury in April and Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket (by three and three quarter lengths from Red Verdon) in May. Unsuited by the emphasis on speed back in trip in Tattersalls Gold Cup (10.5f) at the Curragh, but bounced back in fine style when neck second to Best Solution in Grosser Preis von Baden at Baden-Baden last time, needing a stronger gallop. Could run well at a price.

SALOUEN (Sylvester Kirk)

Good-topped colt, who is a very smart performer on his day, best efforts this year in Coronation Cup at Epsom (enterprisingly ridden when head second to Cracksman) and Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (one and a quarter lengths third behind Waldgeist) on second/third outings. Respectable two and a quarter lengths third to Loxley in Grand Prix de Deauville last time, and career best needed to trouble the principals.

CAPRI    (Aidan O’Brien)

Big, strong colt who was successful in Irish Derby at the Curragh and St Leger at Doncaster (by half a length from Crystal Ocean) in 2017. Won Alleged Stakes at Naas (gamely by head from Cannonball) in April but below form after five-month absence when six and a half lengths fifth to Waldgeist in Prix Foy over C&D last time, weakening after chasing the leader. Entitled to come on for that run though, and should do better than when only beating one home in this race 12 months ago.

WAY TO PARIS (Antonio Marcialis)

Won minor event at Milan in 2017, and has finished in frame five of six starts this year, best effort when three and a half lengths fourth to Waldgeist in Prix Foy at Longchamp last time, staying on well from rear off slow pace. That form gives him place claims here.

WALDGEIST (Andre Fabre)

High-class performer who made the frame in both French and Irish Derby last season, but has come into his own this season, winning his last four starts including Prix d'Hedouville over C&D in May, Grand Prix de Chantilly (by three lengths from last year's Arc sixth Dschingis Secret) in June, Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (by nose from Coronet) in July and Prix Foy over C&D (smoothly, by two and a half lengths from Talismanic) in September. Did well to win so comfortably on latter occasion given modest pace and type to improve further when faced with a stronger gallop (often travels strongly).

CLOTH OF STARS (Andre Fabre)

Won first three starts last season, culminating in Prix Ganay win at Saint-Cloud, before producing career-best effort (top-class form) when two and a half lengths second to Enable in this race at Chantilly final outing. In frame five of six starts this year, including when third in Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan (three and a quarter lengths behind Hawkbill) on second outing and Prix Foy over C&D (beaten two and three quarter lengths by Waldgeist) last time. Acts on any ground and could run well once more at a decent price.

TALISMANIC (Andre Fabre)

Successful three times in 2017, notably in Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar (by half a length from Beach Patrol). Won minor event at Chantilly (readily, by one and three quarter lengths from Cloth of Stars) in March and Prix Gontaut-Biron at Deauville (comfortably by two lengths from Subway Dancer) in August, and well-held ninth behind Thunder Snow in Dubai World Cup at Meydan in between. Creditable two and a half lengths second to Waldgeist in Prix Foy at Longchamp last time, leading until heading inside final furlong.

TIBERIAN (Alain Couetil)

Successful four times in 2017, including in Prix d'Hedouville at Saint-Cloud, and Prix de Reux at Deauville and Grand Prix de Deauville. Best efforts this year when one and three quarter lengths fourth to Waldgeist in Prix d'Hedouville at Longchamp and one and three quarter lengths second to Finche in Prix de Reux at Deauville. Below form when nine and a half lengths fifth to Loxley in Grand Prix de Deauville last time, and needs to bounce back.

CLINCHER (Hiroshi Miyamoto)

Won Group 2 Kyoto Kinen at Kyoto (by length from Al Ain) in February, and finished third on next two starts, in Group 2 Hanshin Daishoten at Hanshin and Tenno Sho (Spring) at Kyoto (three quarters of a length behind Rainbow Line). Below form when eight lengths last to Waldgeist in Prix Foy at Longchamp latest outing, leading until over a furlong out, and more needed now.

ENABLE (John Gosden)

Top-class filly who won final six starts in 2017, notably Oaks at Epsom, Irish Oaks at the Curragh, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, Yorkshire Oaks at York (by five lengths from Coronet), and this race at Chantilly (by two and a half lengths from Cloth of Stars, well ridden and quickening clear final two furlongs). Sustained injury after, but showed all ability remains after 11 months off when making all in September Stakes at Kempton last time by three and a half lengths from Crystal Ocean. Should come on plenty for that and the one to beat once again.

NEUFBOSC (Mme Pia Brandt)

Won maiden at Chantilly in February, then listed race and Prix du Lys, both at Longchamp in May, last-named by one and three quarter lengths from Mahoe. Good efforts there last two starts, in Grand Prix de Paris (one and a quarter lengths second to Kew Gardens) and Prix Niel (one and a half lengths third to Brundtland, staying on). Still, more needed to be competitive here.

PATASCOY (X. Thomas-Demeaulte)

Won 1¼m minor event at Toulouse (by neck from Wetrov) in March, and had finished second all starts since, best efforts on last two, in Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly (half a length behind Study of Man) and Prix Guillaume d'Ornano at Deauville (beaten four lengths by Knight To Behold, keeping on). Stamina to prove now up in trip.

KEW GARDENS (Aidan O’Brien)

Won Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot in June and Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp (by one and a quarter lengths from Neufbosc) in July. Not given hard time when third in Great Voltigeur at York, beaten a length and a half behind Old Persian when attempting to give weight away all round, and improved again when landing St Leger at Doncaster last time by two and a quarter lengths from Lah Ti Dar, leading two furlongs out and staying on well. Has the pace to cope with the drop back in trip, but relatively quick turnaround of some concern.

STUDY OF MAN (Pascal Bary)

From the family of high-class miler Kingmambo out of outstanding miler Miesque. Won Prix Greffulhe at Saint-Cloud in May and Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly (by half a length from Patascoy, edging ahead over a furlong out and holding on well) in June. Run best excused when six lengths fifth to Roaring Lion in Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown last time, left with too much to do. Better judged on previous form and no back number if improving for longer trip (mixed messages from pedigree).

LOUIS D’OR (Tony Castanheira)

Won minor event at Deauville at two, and put up improved effort when third in Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly (half a length behind Study of Man) on fourth outing this year. Has failed to reproduce that form in Group 2 events since, including in Prix Niel at Longchamp (seven and three quarter lengths last to Brundtland) on latest outing.

HUNTING HORN (Aidan O’Brien)

Very smart performer who won maiden at Naas in April and Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot (by four and a half lengths from Crossed Baton, storming clear) in June. Ran in USA next two starts, and back to near-best when short-head second to Brundtland in Prix Niel at Longchamp last time, challenging winner from over two furlongs out. Stable seemingly have stronger claims elsewhere, though.

NELSON (Aidan O’Brien)

Smart performer at best, winning Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown (by half a length from Delano Roosevelt) in April. Creditable seventh to Kew Gardens in St Leger at Doncaster last time, but only used as a pacemaker that day.

MAGICAL (Aidan O’Brien)

Successful in maiden at Cork and Debutante Stakes at the Curragh (by one and a half lengths from Happily) at two, and also good second in Moyglare Stud Stakes at latter course (short head behind Happily). Won Kilboy Estate Stakes at the Curragh in July this year, and better than result when three lengths fourth to Laurens in Matron Stakes at Leopardstown last time, upsides briefly a furlong out and held when hampered final 100 yards. This represents big step up in trip, though.

SEA OF CLASS (William Haggas)

Half-sister to numerous smart winners, and has kept up the family tradiion, already the pick of the bunch after four wins from as many races since promising debut at Newmarket in April. Won listed race at Newbury in May, and similar event back there in June, as well as Irish Oaks at the Curragh (by neck from Forever Together) in July. Improved again to complete four-timer in Yorkshire Oaks at York last time by two and a quarter lengths from Coronet, quickening impressively from last to first and shooting clear inside final furlong under hands and heels. Usually travels strongly and certainly has more to come, so looks a leading contender here with handy sex/age allowances. Supplemented at a cost of €120,000 on Wednesday.

CONCLUSION

Last year's winner Enable showed she retained all her ability when dictating matters at Kempton, and she's likely to come on plenty for the outing. However, prices of 5/4 in what's shaping up to be a stronger renewal than 12 months ago make little appeal at this stage, and preference (assuming the ground doesn't come up too soft) is for the rapidly improving Sea of Class in receipt of 7 lb. She produced a fine turn of foot when wining at York and can justify her owners' decision to supplement her by becoming the fourth winning three-year-old filly in eight years.