Dave Smith takes a look at the races that comprise Sunday's ITV7, including the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
The Prix d'Aumale holds the key piece of form in this race and ROCQUES, whilst well found in the market, is the right favourite. She travelled smoothly the last day, is a course and distance winner who has won with some cut underfoot. She's taken to uphold the form with Ceratonia and see off Pink Dogwood and Star Terms.
There's been a lot to like in the campaign of Boitron but he may just find ANODOR too strong in this renewal of the Lagardere. Indeed, Freddy Head's charge has been very strong to date, is unexposed and should take all the beating.
Nothing like a bit of Class 5 handicap hurdle action in between stellar French Group One fare. We head to Uttoxeter for this contest and find a number of these to be low-grade performers. A chance then is taken on TRAPPER PEAK who looks to be very well treated on the best of his old form.
An absolutely terrific Arc awaits this year and it's no surprise to see John Gosden's ENABLE as a warm order for the race. She's rated some 6lb superior to all of her rivals and the 342 day break she had before comfortably defeating Crystal Ocean suggests she's still very much the one to beat.
WILD ILLUSION brushed aside Urban Fox in the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood in August but she was getting stacks of weight. Whilst she still gets the three-year-old allowance here, the most important piece of information looks to be that she acts best on softer ground than any of her rivals in the market and with rain forecast it could be crucial.
Last year's winner Battaash didn't run his best at York in the Nunthorpe and a chance is taken on SOLDIER'S CALL who gets in here off a feather weight and with Archie Watson's stable having an incredible year he could run a massive race. There has only been one two-year-old winner of this race since 1978 so it's a brave shout, but we'll take a chance on him.
Course and distance winner POLYDREAM is the standout performer here and she appears to be a class filly. She just managed to beat James Garfield the last day when George Scott's horse cracked near the winning line. Polydream is getting weight and is suited by conditions, she should take all the beating.
