At the risk of being controversial, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is seen as the biggest Flat race of the year over middle distances, but I beg to differ – it is invariably run on soft ground, and at the end of a long hard season so are we really pitching the best against the best under optimum conditions to crown a true champion – I beg to differ.
I wish Giavellotto the best of luck for the Botti’s but I am not convinced he will be at his best on this going, and I have the utmost respect for favourite Minnie Hawk who arrives unbeaten since finishing second on her debut, with wins in the Oaks, the Irish Oaks, and the Yorkshire Oaks on her last three starts. 7/2 is just too skinny for my liking in a field this strong, while the Japanese have a strong hand as they look to break their duck with all three in with chances.
Although sorely tempted by Los Angeles, who has been aimed at this all season and is too big at 33/1, I’ll take an each way chance on Alohi Alii, the outsider of the Japanese trio but an impressive winner of the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano in his prep race.
He arrived in France months ago (that win was in August) to give him added time to acclimatise, Christophe Lemaire rides and is in my opinion one of the best jockeys in the world today, has proved he can take to the softer ground, and ticks too many boxes for me to ignore at 18/1 for a place at least.
Daily Sport Recommended Bet 1/2pt Each Way Alohi Alii 3.05pm Longchamp (France) 16/1 most bookmakers