- It is set to be a hugely entertaining weekend of racing action
- The Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, with a prize fund of £2.5m, is the main event
The first weekend in October is synonymous with historic racing achievements, and the prospect is for more of the same over the next 48 hours. The Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, with its prize fund of £2.5million, is the standout event but everywhere you look quality oozes from cards.
Mail Sport points you in the direction of five races to follow.
LA CONFIDENTIAL
The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (3.20, Sunday) will be watched by a huge global audience and an incredible story would be if Shin Emperor becomes the first Japanese winner. His warm-up run in the Irish Champion Stakes — third to Economics — was full of promise. A place behind him that day at Leopardstown, however, was Los Angeles and plenty of shrewd judges talked him up as a likely winner in Paris when he returned to the unsaddling enclosure.
He won the Irish Derby this summer, having finished third at Epsom to City Of Troy, and is a colt full of potential. A huge run looks on the cards.
Los Angeles is tipped to make a major impact in the The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
KING KYPRIOS
They say there is no such thing as a certainty in racing but Kyprios running over marathon distances challenges that theory. Aidan O’Brien’s chestnut is unbeaten this season and should he win Saturday afternoon’s Prix du Cadran at Longchamp (1.33pm), he will enter a different realm.
Kyprios, who came back from a life-threatening infection, is on the verge of becoming O’Brien’s most prolific Group One horse. He is currently tied on seven. ‘We could have run him in the Arc but it would have been disrespectful to ask him to do that,’ said O’Brien. ‘He’s comfortable over these long distances and is special.’
Kyprios, who came back from a life-threatening infection, is aiming to win the Prix du Cadran
INSPIRATION FOR INSPIRAL
One of the great mares of modern times, Inspiral’s c.v. drips with glory and she will try to successfully defend her crown in the Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket (2.40pm). Things have not gone right for her this season and she has not managed to get her head in front but this is her best opportunity. Tamfana, representing David Menuisier, will be a formidable opponent.
Inspiral, one of the great mares of modern times, will be in action in the Sun Chariot Stakes
SUPER SAFFIE
The promising career of Saffie Osborne continues to take flight and she has an outstanding chance of riding her third Group winner in the Bengough Stakes at Ascot (3.0). Jarraf, trained by Owen Burrows, is a fine ride for her.
Saffie Osborne will hope that she will be able to triumph in the Bengough Stakes with Jarraf
OLLIE’S AUTUMN SIMMERS
Simmering has been a great advertisement for the training potential of Ollie Sangster, whose grandfather, Robert, won the Arc three times as an owner.
He would have been proud to see his grandson saddling a fancied runner at Longchamp, with the filly running in the Prix Marcel Boussac (12.55, Sunday). Connections bought her to run in this race and Sangster’s string are in good form.
Simmering, who is trained by Ollie Sangster, is running in the Prix Marcel Boussac
