Three crucial questions on the ground and the draw for Europe's richest race

A handicap field leaves the stalls at Longchamp. In France only those horses who win in handicaps can have their ratings raised

How will Longchamp ride on Arc day?Credit: Edward Whitaker

The state of the going is a traditional obsession for racing professionals and fans alike in the run up to the Arc, with the Longchamp turf always susceptible to big swings in the penetrometer readings if there is rain around close to the big day.

Since the grand reopening in April, Longchamp has suffered a series of weather-related problems that have tested groundstaff to the limit, one of those being that the reseeded track hasn't provided a consistent racing surface.

So what can we expect this weekend, and will the return to Longchamp herald greater scrutiny of Thursday's draw?

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Scott BurtonFrance correspondent

Published on 2 October 2018inGrand National festival

Last updated 18:51, 2 October 2018

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