There are three runners from our list to follow in the Prix L’Abbaye at Longchamp at 1.15. Hogmaneigh shouldn’t be quite good enough to win at Group 1 level, although the ground will be in his favour. Strike up the Band handles soft ground and is probably best at 5 furlongs but has not shown much since winning at Chantilly a year ago. Dandy Man deserves to win a big race but really wants faster ground to show his best form. Of the rest Benbaun and Moss Vale have had many a close battle over the last year or two with Benbaun normally coming out on top. Benbaun seems to reserve his best form for The Curragh and is also another that would prefer faster ground. Moss Vale would be my very tentative selection.
Frankie Dettori rides Longchamp as well as anyone and I fancy his chances on Laureldean Gale in the 1.50. This filly was trained by Peter Chapple-Hyam but is now with Godolphin.
Finsceal Beo has been one of the stars on our list to follow landing two classics but ground and trip seem against her in the 3.00.
My heart definitely says Authorized for the Arc but my head has a few doubts. He has to do it from stall 12 and on the tight French track that has historically proved a massive disadvantage. Peter Chapple-Hyam’s two runners today made no show which is another negative point. In addition, Epsom Derby winners have not fared too well in the Arc with only 1 of the 6 that have tried prevailing in the last decade. Dylan Thomas has form figures of 311 at this trip, all in Group 1 races. He should be in the shake up. Mandesha is a course and distance winner with a good draw and should run well but I can’t see Youmzain being quite good enough. I can see Soldier of Fortune putting up a bold show but I am going to let my heart rule my head and side with Authorized to get the better of Dylan Thomas and Soldier of Fortune.
Yeats will be hard to beat in the 4.25 where he seems to tick all the right boxes. It will be interesting to see how Juniper Girl, the winner of the Northumberland Plate gets on.
I haven’t had the chance to put my horses to follow for the 2007/8 jumps season on the site yet. When I do, Abstinence will be on it. He won a Wetherby bumper in impressive style and was promptly snapped up by Howard Johnson for Andrea and Graham Wylie. He should win the Kelso 5.30
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