Arc Farce

Twenty runners have been confirmed for the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday with the draw published on Thursday. Unfortunately, one of my selections in the Autumn Update, namely La Parisienne didn't make the cut due to the restricted field size. With soft or heavy ground likely at the weekend, it is an even harder decision to swallow with conditions expected to have been in the three year old's favour. The Zarak filly was as short as 12/1 having been placed in both the French Oaks and Prix Vermeille - two Group 1 contests. She missed out by one which is frustrating to say the least, particularly as half a dozen of the final field comprises of runners priced at 50/1 or above, including Top 40 entry Mostahdaf who hasn't won above Group 3 level. 

Those clients who purchased a copy of Ahead On The Flat will be aware that George Boughey was complimentary about his juvenile Pastiche. The daughter of Zoustar made her belated racecourse debut at Kempton on Wednesday evening and shaped with plenty of promise. Ridden by Jason Hart, she was repeatedly short of room when mounting her challenge inside the final quarter of a mile in the opening six furlongs fillies' maiden. Beaten three and a quarter lengths in seventh, she will be hard to beat next time.

Please head to the Publications section of the site to order a copy of One Jump Ahead and the Updates, if you haven't already done so. All orders received from Friday onwards will be posted on Monday due to the Royal Mail's decision to strike on Friday and Saturday.