Declan is the typical armchair pundit as he thinks he knows his sport – Horse Racing. Paddy Power have invited Declan to write a weekly piece for our new section - The Armchair Pundits’ Lounge. Today Declan steps up to the big league as we’re publishing his post on the regular blog.

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It’s one of the classiest weekends in the racing calendar as the fillies kick off Arc weekend on Saturday in the Sun Chariot Stakes. Another Group 1 surely beckons for the impressive Ghanaati now back in amongst her own sex once again. She is solid in the market, GET ON!! The filly’s race is supported by one of the flat season’s final big handicaps, the Cambridgeshire. This 36 horse cavalry charge will be as competitive as ever and it should be a great spectacle.

All this an appetiser for the biggest middle distance race in Europe, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. It really is a fascinating race this year with all the hype around Sea the Stars and the rivals he has already beaten. First off we all know they didn’t go flat out in the Derby but a strong gallop is guaranteed for the Arc. Will Sea the Stars stay? Also the Ballydoyle team made no secret about the fact that Fame and Glory was back from a break and running over an inadequate trip in the Irish Champion Stakes. So what do I derive from all this? I think Fame and Glory will be closer to Sea the Stars in the Arc but won’t beat him. On the other hand, Sea the Stars is too short a price in an 18 runner high quality field. The best alternative is Conduit each way. When most horses are dropping away at the furlong pole, this guy will only be kicking into gear under Ryan Moore. Whether he’ll beat Sea the Stars, well we’ll find out at 4:15pm on Sunday.

Elsewhere, the first race at Newmarket on Saturday (1:50pm) should go to Aidan O’Brien and Johnny Murtagh. Lillie Langtry is a far superior animal to these and will take all the beating. She could be a skinny price though.

I also fancy the duo from the 2nd race. Alfred Nobel - already a Group 1 winner this year when winning the Phoenix Stakes - should have too many guns for today’s opposition. Aidan O’Brien seems to be targeting big money races in recessionary times and hoping to give his horse’s track experience for next year’s Guineas.

In the 4:15 (the filly’s nursery), I like a horse called Texas Queen. She had been holding her form well against better animals until last time where she was beaten by10 lengths into third but I think it was the trip that beat her on the sharp Catterick course. She is by the stamina laden Shamardal so the return to this trip and track will suit her well. A big each way fancy for me.

Finally on the Saturday, a horse called Dylanesque goes in the 2:35 at Epsom Downs. He will be receiving quite a bit of weight from the top horses and the step up in trip will also help this son of Royal Applause. His ability to dictate the pace in a small field will also help his cause.

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This entry was posted on 10:50am Friday, October 2nd, 2009 at 10:50 am and is filed under Armchair Pundits, Horse Racing Tips, Racing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. By commenting on this site you agree to abide by our terms and conditions.

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