Sunday 5th October 2014

We were so close to another big priced winner yesterday with Danzeno who was beaten in a photo finish by the main danger highlighted Lightning Moon.

From two out Danzeno & Lightning Moon looked to have the race between them with both horses moving well, the selection hit the front and went on but hung left again in the final furlong. If this cost him victory I’m not sure but I do know once he matures the horse will take high rank in the sprinting division in the years to come.

It was a great result for trainer Ed Walker who deserved a big race win, Ed users all the latest technology when working his horses including GPS monitoring and timing. This was a really good training performance from the young Newmarket handler as Lightning Moon is a huge horse and needed plenty of time.

Today is of course all about the meeting from Longchamp and the Arc De Triomphe, it’s a fantastic card full of quality with huge prize money up for grabs.

I’m keen not to undo all the good work of late at a foreign meeting whilst I don’t pretend to have a huge knowledge of the French and Middle East form. However I do have a feeling the Japanese can take this year’s Arc after a few near misses in the past few years.

The last few renewals of the Arc De Triomphe have been run on soft ground and turned the race into a bit of a slog, however the going is decent today and providing no rain hits beforehand there should be no excuses.

The Japanese are desperate to win the race and this is the main target of the year for their top horses, for that reason and the ground more like what their used to I’ve placed 3 small EW bets on Just A Way, Harp Star & Gold Ship.

For a bit fun I’ve also thrown a token bet on the combination tricast and reverse dual forecasts on the 3 runners.

Just A Way is one of the best horses in the world at the moment but does have stamina doubts, if he gets the trip and granted a clear run it will take a good one to beat him.

High Jinx is a horse I’ve followed off a cliff, he lines up in the Qatar Prix Du Cadran at 5:20, Ryan Moore takes the ride.

The trip of two miles four will be ideal for the James Fanshawe trained horse that has stamina in abundance. High Jink is tricky to win with but will keep galloping and hopefully Ryan Moore can keep him in a straight line, can hang badly when under pressure.

Priced at 6-1 I can’t let High Jinx run without support and have placed another small EW bet. It’s a great day of racing but extremely hard for punting.