L’Abbaye the only time to swerve the French on Arc undercard

The Parisian crowd may be willing the darling of their hearts, Treve, on to Arc success on Sunday, but from a punting perspective, there may be other French fancies that offer better value.

Another seven Group races on the day means that visitors and bettors alike have ample opportunity to get stuck in and pick out a winner or two.

As well as the day’s feature, Channel 4 will be showing a quartet of other races live at the weekend, making all five eligible for Ladbrokes’ money back offer if your horse finishes second.

The Arc itself has been covered here, but for now, we are more interested in the other races on the card.

Here are our best bets on Longchamp’s undercard…

Antonoe – Prix Marcel Boussac

Two from two, it’s hard to think Pascal Bary’s filly could have done anything else in her short career.

She won the Prix D’Aumale in the style of a filly that is really going to go places this season and into next. That race was won by Lesstalk In Paris in 2013, before going on to finish second in this race, so there are signs that it is a good pointer.

Young jockey Vincent Cheminaud has had a season to remember, winning three Group races in September alone, and can add a second Group 1 to his career onboard Bary’s exciting charge.

Attendu – Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere

Full Mast took in the Prix La Rochette en route to the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere last season (albeit thanks to the Parisian stewards), and Attendu looks too big a price to do the double this time.

He knuckled down to take victory over seven furlongs at Longchamp in that race, and looks primed for a step up to a mile, after this race was extended a furlong for the 2015 renewal.

Trainer Carlos Laffon-Parias said that he “didn’t get the impression he was done with at the end so I don’t think he will be inconvenienced by the extra 200 metres.”

Favourite Johannes Vermeer looks a solid yardstick, but France’s main hope could be a spot of each-way value.

We Are – Prix de l’Opera

Last year’s winner of this race seems to be going under the radar somewhat and looks an excellent price at around 7/1.

Thierry Jarnet warmed up for his mount on Treve by delivering a cool ride to win by a neck at the expense of Ribbons 12 months ago.

In truth, she was worth more than the winning distance with her rider having to wait late for the gaps to open before pouncing late on.

You can put a line through two of her performances this year, with good ground looking her preferred surface these days. This race will have been her target all year and looks dangerous to dismiss.

Goldream – Prix de l’Abbaye

While we have been sticking with the French so far, now it’s time to back the Brits in the Abbaye.

Of the 30 horses to make the frame in the last decade, 23 have been trained on these shores, seemingly indicating that the UK has the upper hand when it comes to sprinters.

Robert Cowell’s gelding has taken a step up to Group company in his stride this year, winning both the Kings’ Stand Stakes and the Palace House Stakes in his four runs this term.

The drying ground will be in his favour as he looks to reverse the form with Nunthorpe winner Mecca’s Angel. It is a hefty swing of over four lengths, but with the filly relishing cut underfoot, we have to take her on.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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