Templegate’s 12-1 Arc de Triomphe tip, 1-2-3 prediction and complete runner-by-runner guide to Longchamp blockbuster

IF the Melbourne Cup is the race that stops a nation – then perhaps the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is the race that stops a continent.

And Japan!

AFPBluestocking was a brilliant winner of the Arc for trainer Ralph Beckett and jockey Rossa Ryan last year[/caption]

The Japanese have never won the massive Group 1 from Longchamp in Paris but they have a strong three-pronged attack this year.

Mind you, the French batallion are fearsome too as are the runners from Britain and Ireland.

The draw has been done, all the preparation is over and it’s time for Templegate to find you a winner.

Below, he goes through every horse and rates them out of five stars – one the worst, five the best.

He reveals his big tip for the 3.05pm contest and 1-2-3 prediction at the bottom.

You’ll also find his picks for all the big races in the French capital below.

Templegate’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe runner-by-runner guide

GIAVELLOTTO 2

LOT to do. Stays well, effective on AW and turf, but needs to take a step forward in this company.

Will run his usual good race but has plenty on his plate.

WHITE BIRCH 2

WHITE out. Landed a Group 1 at The Curragh last year but form has dipped this season.

This trip suits but softer ground would be ideal. Looks vulnerable against stronger improvers.

ARROW EAGLE 1

BALD Eagle. Progressive earlier in season with French Group wins but well held in Prix Foy here last time.

Stays this far but looks a fair bit short of this level.

SOSIE 4

SO good. French Group 1 star with Prix Ganay and Ispahan wins and finished a close second in the Prix Foy.

Handles any ground, trip ideal and strong claims of matching last year’s fourth.

LOS ANGELES 2

LOS cause. Ballydoyle colt with Curragh Group 1 wins this year and was a good third in this last year.

Seems to have gone backwards since and place shout at best.

BYZANTINE DREAM 5

DREAM come true. Japanese raider at peak of his powers after a battling Prix Foy win.

Has proven stamina and turn of foot and handles any ground. Improver who looks primed to strike a major blow despite a modest draw.

QUISISANA 3

QUIS has answers. Improving mare on five-timer after impressive Prix Jean Romanet win latest.

Versatile ground-wise, stays 12f, but serious class rise today. Outsider who may run creditably without getting in front.

KALPANA 3

HOT Pan. Consistent filly, excellent second in King George, proven over 12f and handles all surfaces.

Has to bounce back from a poor run last time but can’t be written off each-way.

AVENTURE 4

TURE thing. Last year’s Arc runner-up and multiple Group winner this season, including a Vermeille victory latest.

Proven here, she stays strongly, is consistent and very likely to run another big race.

DARYZ 3

DAR may star. Unexposed colt with unbeaten spring and a short-head Group 3 second here last time.

Bred for this trip and still improving but this may be coming a year too soon.

LEFFARD 3

ARD to fault. Grand Prix de Paris winner and better than Prix Niel sixth suggests.

Stays this trip strongly and is versatile on ground. May sneak into contention if improving again.

CUALIFICAR 4

CAR motors. Won the Prix Niel nicely here last time when enjoying the step up to this trip.

Versatile ground-wise, lightly raced and still progressing. Major French hope if delivering another career best under Buick.

HOTAZHELL 1

COLD on Hot. Futurity Trophy hero last year who is being given a hard race for his debut over 1m4f.

Yard is respected but would be a shock if he was up to this.

CROIX DU NORD 4

NORD star. Japanese Derby winner over this trip and needed every yard of 1m2f to beat Daryz here last time.

This trip will suit much better and he handles any ground. Best form takes him close but stall 17 is a worry.

ALOHI ALII 2

ALII knocked out. Impressive Deauville Group 2 winner over 1m2f last time.

Progressive but unproven beyond that trip. Pedigree suggests he may stay but Arc test much his toughest yet.

MINNIE HAUK 4

HAUK a flyer. Outstanding filly who is unbeaten this year including the Epsom, Irish and Yorkshire Oaks.

Stays this trip strongly, handles any ground and still improving. Massive contender from a good draw getting weight from the boys.

GEZORA 3

GE whizz. French Oaks heroine who was a fine second in the Vermeille latest behind Aventure.

She’s proven over this trip and goes on any ground. Needs more to win but one of many with place claims.

Templegate’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe tip and 1-2-3 prediction

BYZANTINE DREAM can come true for Japan in the Arc.

The racing-obsessed nation have never lifted Europe’s biggest prize but they have a huge chance with this four-year-old who looked gutsy when winning the Prix Foy here last time out.

He goes on any ground and connections have wisely kept Oisin Murphy in the saddle and that could make all the difference.

He could be drawn better but it’s not impossible to win from out wide.

Minnie Hauk has been supplemented by the Ballydoyle giants and has been flawless this season, winning an Oaks hat-trick and her weight allowance makes her a huge threat.

Last year’s second Aventure is back in top form having taken the Vermeille last time and she never runs a bad race here.

Japan have another chance with Croix Du Nord who has strong form at home and handled the track well when seeing off solid each-way chance Daryz here last time.

Sosie is another who could be overpriced while Cualificar is another home hope for the legend Andre Fabre.

1st Byzantine Dream
2nd Minnie Hauk
3rd Aventure

Templegate’s Longchamp tips

TAMFANA can get back to winning ways in the Group 1 Prix De L’Opera (3.50).

Trainer David Menuisier has been patient with this four-year-old who won the Sun Chariot in this grade 12 months ago.

She finished her three-year-old campaign with an excellent third in the QEII Stakes and looked set for another big season.

But things didn’t go to plan. After a promising comeback second in the Sandown Mile, she bombed out in the Lockinge and we haven’t seen her since that May Newbury contest.

It’s interesting to see her come back now at 1m2f as she was second in the French Oaks on her only crack at this trip and cut in the ground would be ideal.

She comes here fresh and anything like her best form would take her close to main threat See The Fire who was a bit below par at York last time out.

MORE THUNDER can make a Group 1 breakthrough in the Foret (4.25).

William Haggas’ colt always looked much more than a handicapper and showed it when following his Bunbury Cup win with a smooth Group 2 success at Newbury in August.

He’s been put away since that impressive effort and this looks the ideal chance at the highest level.

He’s copped a good draw and loves this 7f trip.

Earlier on the card, JM JUNGLE looks a good each-way bet in the L’Abbaye (1.50).

The Quinns landed this race two years ago and have another big chance with this five-year-old who has had an excellent season.

He won the Dash at Epsom on Derby day before a couple of placed runs in hot company at York.

He got his head back in front when winning the King George at Goodwood and ran close to that level again when just missing out in the Nunthorpe last time.

He goes on any ground and will be in the mix.

There may not be many local winners on Arc day but NIGHTTIME (1.15) has every chance for Christopher Head.

He has risen nicely through the ranks and followed a Listed win at Deauville with a smart Group 3 success over this course and distance last month.

He has few miles on the clock and doesn’t need a lot more to get the better of O’Brien hope Puerto Rico and likely favourite Rayif in the Aga Khan colours.