3:05 – Qatar Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe (Group 1) 1m4f

The prospect of deep ground at ParisLongchamp is theoretically against both of John Gosden’s runners, as is their age, but I still think he can dominate the contest, and the formbook shows that even on soft ground, Enable and Stradivarius are the pair who hold the aces.

I respect Enable as she seeks again to make history, but the argument that Stradivarius will struggle with both the trip and the ground holds little water given the field assembled here.

Stradivarius ran a fine trial in what Gosden would term a “French bicycle race”, and Gold Cup winners Ardross, Westerner and Order Of St George have all gone close to winning much deeper renewals of this great race.

Stradivarius can hardly be knocked for struggling to keep tabs on Ghaiyyath in a wind-assisted Coronation Cup, but he need only run to that form to go very close. I personally believe that this race will be run to suit him, and he can break a couple of hoodoos by winning the great race and putting the seal on a wonderful career.

4 :25 – Prix de L’Abbaye de Longchamp Longines (Group 1) 5f

The draw is key here, and with her best form coming on heavy ground, and stall one a huge bonus, Archer’s Dream should not (and surely will not) be a 25/1 shot in the Abbaye in the circumstances, but that’s the odds about her as I write.

I’d be happy to take 14/1 or bigger, but would love to see her price hold up a little better. She was much better than the result in the Sprint Cup last time, having been forced to race widest of all, and the way she faded late suggests she will prove best at this trip.

Recommended

Stradivarius 3:05 Longchamp – 1pt win @ 6/1 (Unibet)

Archer’s Dream 4:25 Longchamp – 1pt e/w @ 25/1 (Bet365 – 20/1 Boyles, BetFred)