Montjeu and Sinndar - the leading players.

HOLT'S BIG RACE PREVIEW

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Channel Four Racing's Simon Holt has spoken to Sporting Life ahead of this weekend's Arc de Triomphe, providing expert analysis ahead of Sunday's Longchamp showdown.

We discuss how the going is likely to effect the principle contenders, Montjeu and Sinndar, before looking at how John Oxx's charge has progressed throughout the year, culminating in his ultra-impressive Prix Niel victory that set-up Sunday's eagerly anticipated encounter.

"This a magnificent clash, a mouth-watering prospect, a much smaller field for the Arc then usual, but as high in quality as ever"

"What a battle we could be in for here with Montjeu, the winner of the race twelve months ago, and the English and Irish Derby hero, Sinndar, who seems to be improving with every run and not forgetting the top German runner, Samum, the winner of Grosser Preis von Baden last time."

"So it's a fascinating battle in prospect I'm sure we're going to have a very strongly run race with Sinndar's stable companion Raypour in there to make the pace, I can't wait for it."

"I think it an almost impossible race to sum up because both these two horse, Montjeu and Sinndar, have such first class credentials but I don't you can really think of a reason not to go for Montjeu."

"He seems to have been tested all-round whether the pace is slow whether the pace is fast, it doesn't seem to matter to him and when he won this race last year it was one of the great performances in recent years."

"He's a worthy favourite."

Moving on to Sinndar's chance Holt speaks of how Johnny Murtagh's mount has improved with every race.

"He looked a good horse without being special when he won the Derby at Epsom, then he began to look a bit special when he won in Ireland and of course last time in his Arc trial he travelled better then he ever done in any race so far, so he does seem to be progressing with every run does this Sinndar.

"I think the race will be run to suit him, he'll probably sit second or third behind his pacemaker and then Johnny Murtagh is likely to kick-on an try and run the sting out of Montjeu up the straight."

The Channel Four man also discusses the prospects of the other leading contenders, the tactics and the tactics that may be employed.