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Despite plenty of action for punters to get stuck into on British shores this weekend, the main focus of the horse racing world will be on France, where the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe takes place. It’s over to the French capital of Paris we go for two days of prestigious racing. It really is top-class action galore with more group races to enjoy than at any other two-day meeting.
As this is a big meeting, we’re here to see if we can find some winners, as is always the case here at Pundit Feed. The most recent meeting that we tackled was the St Leger, and the winners came thick and fast there, and at chunky prices too. As some of the best horses in the world clash at Parislongchamp, the winners may be harder to find, but let’s see what we can do.
Betting tips for day one of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe 2023
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It’s time to get stuck in and see if we can start the weekend on the front foot by landing of a Saturday winners. Ahead of the first day of action over in Paris, here’s a couple of selections to see you through:
15:33 – Qatar Prix de Royallieu (Fillies’ And Mares’ Group 1)
At 15:33, we have the Qatar Prix de Royallieu, which is a Group 1 race for fillies and mares, run over one mile and six furlongs. The early favourite for this contest is Melo Melo, who for my money, could (and probably should) be a bit shorter.
The mount of top French jockey Mickael Barzalona is the highest rated horse in the contest and she can prove that here. She arrives for this assignment off the back of a very narrow defeat in Group 1 company over a shorter trip at Parislongchamp at the start of the month, finishing just a short-head behind the Aidan O’Brien trained Warm Heart. In truth, that was a fantastic effort and she lost nothing in defeat to that runner, who on all available evidence, is a good bit better anything in this field.
We know this horse doesn’t mind the soft ground, she proved that last time out, while this step back up in trip will hold no fears either. After all, her most decisive win came over course and distance in Listed company back in May. With her yard in fine form, she looks a good bet to regain the winning thread in what may just be a slightly easier race than she went in three weeks ago.
Best bet – Melo Melo @ 7/2
16:08 – Qatar Prix Daniel Wildenstein (Group 2)
Following the Qatar Prix de Royallieu will be the Qatar Prix Daniel Wildenstein, a Group 2 contest run over a mile, and it’s another of the home contingent that stands out.
Much of the focus here is going to be on Isaac Shelby and Poker Face. The former is the highest rated horse in the contest, but has developed something of a habit of failing to perform. He’s now gone two Group 2 races on the spin without winning, so he’s far from the strongest favourite. As far as Poker Face is concerned, well, he didn’t exactly appear to have bundles in hand when winning a Group 3 race at Deauville last time out. This is tougher.
The attention on that pair could mean that Belbek slips under the radar a little bit. By no means a huge price in the early betting, 6/1 could easily turn out to be a little generous. After all, let’s not forget that this lightly raced horse previously took a Group 1 at Parislongchamp on soft ground. He’s been raced rather sparingly since that victory nearly a year ago, but he was far from disgraced when warming up with an effort in Group 1 company over course and distance just under a month ago. If he steps on even a tiny bit from that effort, he’d be a major, major player here for my money. He’s got the quality and he’ll relish this soft ground, so while the price allows, I’m on each-way.
Best bet – Belbek (each-way) @ 6/1
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