- All times BST.
A superb weekend of racing with the highlight, of course, being the Arc. You can read about that, and the rest of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge races, here: https://inthemoneypodcast.com/longchamp-breeders-cup-challenge-races-previews-bc-prospects-by-steven-bonnick/
We have Group 1 action on the other side of the English Channel, too, where Newmarket’s Sun Chariot Stakes (13:35) sees the outstanding filly Blue Bolt attempt to land a fourth Group 1 in a row. Nothing in here can touch her on form and figures and it’s hoped she can go in again before hopefully have a tilt at the boys either on Champions Day in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes or at the Breeders’ Cup in the Mile.
There’s Stakes action over at Ascot, too, where Tuco Salamanca looks to have a good chance of breaking through at the level in the Rous Stakes (13:50). This progressive sort ran a fine in the Ayr Gold Cup two weeks ago and returns to a course and distance over which he has won. The rapidly improving filly Fluorescence looks the danger, having bolted up at Listed level last time out.
The likeable Tenability comes into the Cumberland Lodge Stakes (14:25) off the back of a victory over last year’s Canadian International winner Silawi and will look to claim the scalp of another veteran stablemate here having beaten 10-year-old Hamish earlier in the season. This time, 9-year-old Al Aasy stands in the way in a race that Willie Haggas looks set to dominate.
Division looks the one to beat in the Bengough Stakes (15:00) following a fine second in a Group 1 last time out, but he’s been hard to win with and faces a couple of interesting rivals here. Prince Of India looked to relish front-running last time out, while Godolphin’s Hidden Force is an intriguing runner dropping down to sprints. He looked really promising earlier in the year and has had a wind operation since he was last seen finishing third in a Guineas trial back in April.
There are two Listed races at Redcar with the Two Year Old Trophy (15:20) the highlight, but the juiciest of Saturday’s action is back in France at Longchamp.
It kicks off at 12:23 with the Prix Chaudenay, in which Pierre Bonnard attempts to score for the first time in what has been a thoroughly disappointing season. He didn’t run up to his best in the St Leger last time out and I wouldn’t be trusting him at short odds against a couple of progressive sorts in the shape of Space Waltz and Victoire Magique.
The Prix Dollar (12:58) looks a belter with the highly progressive gelding Phineas facing off against Wimbledon Hawkeye, who was placed in the Irish Champion last time out, and Distant Storm, who gained a confidence boosting victory last time out having placed in Group 1 races on three consecutive occasions, including in both the English and Irish Guineas.
Sunly has a favourites chance in the Prix de Royallieu (15:25), but faces a serious filly in the shape of Waardah, who was really impressive in the Park Hill last time. Fairy Glen also comes here off a big run, shaping well off a break over shorter, while last year’s 1-2, Consent and Santorini Star, come back for another shot at the race, albeit on very different ground this time.
Finally, the Prix Daniel Wildenstein (16:35) looks a chance for Quddwah to enchance his growing reputation at the expense of Fallen Angel. The latter returned to form in the Group 1 Matron Stakes last time, but Quddwah looks the finished article now and may have too many guns. Qirat could cause an upset if allowed to dominate, however, having ran well into the wind last time out.
Horse To Watch
Scandinavia took his winning run to eight in the Irish St Leger last time out and you can see this magnificent colt in action in the marathon Prix du Cadran (16:00). This looks a formality before he
