Alan Thomson fancies Camelot to do the business in the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe and Spirt Quartz in the Prix de L’Abbaye at Longchamp on Sunday.
CAMELOT (3.25) can grab with both hands the opportunity to restore his slightly dented reputation by scooping the Qatar Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday. The booking of Frankie Dettori somewhat conveniently takes the pressure off trainer’s son Joseph O’Brien, who was chastised in some quarters for his ride in the Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster, when playing second fiddle to Encke.
Young O’Brien, who would have put up overweight on Camelot, gets the leg-up on stablemate St Nicholas Abbey but, given the tremendous record of three-year-olds (won eight of the last 10) in Europe’s richest race, dual Derby hero Camelot is clearly the Ballydoyle No 1. The ground will be on the soft side in Paris but, so long as it doesn’t get too heavy, this shouldn’t inconvenience Camelot, a winner under very testing conditions at the Curragh. A great draw in stall five only bolsters confidence.
Japanese triple crown winner Orfevre is now trading at fairly cramped odds, but there was much to like about the way he quickened to land the Prix Foy on Arc trials day and experienced rider Christophe Soumillon got the job done on Dalakhani and Zarkava. His very wide berth is a worry.
The British have enjoyed a virtual strangehold on the Prix de L’Abbaye, scooping nine of the last 10 renewals, and SPIRIT QUARTZ (12.55) may take his revenge on Yorkshire raider Mayson. Robert Cowell’s lightly-raced sprinter finished a close-up fourth to Mayson at Newmarket in May and, on his last two starts, stepped up again to chase home Ortensia at York and Goodwood. Mayson sluiced through soft ground to land the July Cup in scintillating fashion and is a must for the shortlist.
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Tally Ho
Alan
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