Acid tests for Almaqam, Los Angeles, Sosie and more as Longchamp hosts key Arc trials

Ed Walker will be hoping that patience is its own reward as Almaqam attempts to chart a course for the rest of the autumn with a first try at beyond a mile and a quarter in Longchamp's Qatar Prix Foy (1.33).

Almaqam is a best-priced 33-1 for next month's Arc and his trainer said: "Although he'll be stepping up to a mile and a half for the first time, he's a relaxed horse and I think he'll stay the trip. 

"He's in great nick and I'm really looking forward to seeing him back on some proper soft ground as it's been frustrating waiting for conditions to come right this year. 

"His form is there for all to see. He beat Ombudsman in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes – for all that the runner-up probably needed the outing – and he can be forgiven his defeat in a messy race at York last time."

Sosie finished fourth when favourite for last year's Arc

Sosie went off favourite for the Arc last season and ran a fine race in fourth on ground that was much softer than ideal, before showing a different dimension when dropped back in trip to win the Ganay and the Ispahan. 

That encouraged owners the Wertheimers and trainer Andre Fabre to roll the dice in the Eclipse and, while he wasn't beaten far in sixth, he will surely appreciate a return to the course and distance of his Grand Prix de Paris and Niel victories in 2024.

"He had a bad experience at Sandown and to make the running was a mistake," said Fabre. "Now he's back over his proper distance and the ground should be all right, but it's a prep race."

Los Angeles suffered a surprise defeat in a Group 3 last monthCredit: Patrick McCann

Los Angeles finished one spot in front of Sosie in the Arc 11 months ago and has been another to be campaigned at short of his best in the first half of the season, while Aidan O'Brien was very clear that he would need the race in last month's Royal Whip. The trainer is also represented by Mont St Michel.

"Los Angeles is in good form," said O'Brien. "He stepped up a bit from the Curragh but will step up more. Mont St Michel is a straightforward, honest horse who will get the trip well."

Map Of Stars is another on something of a recovery mission after finding quick ground over a mile and a quarter at Ascot too hot, before a trip to Germany backfired when he was beaten by Tornado Alert in Munich. 

The son of Sea The Stars has always looked as though a mile and a half would suit him and, as is the case with Walker and Almaqam, Francis Graffard is hopeful he can play his way on to the Arc teamsheet.

"He's really very well physically and first time over a mile and a half will be interesting," said Graffard. "We will see where we stand against this type of company."

Iresine has won two of the last three editions of the Foy but has yet to show his best this season. 

Byzantine Dream could carry the hopes of a nation into the ArcCredit: Andrew Parker

Byzantine Dream has form over further and it would be no surprise if Oisin Murphy opts to make plenty of use of him as he bids to strengthen Japan's Arc challenge.

"We worked him on the turf course this week," said trainer Tomoyasu Sakaguchi. "Since he was already in reasonably good shape to run in Japan, the goal of the gallop was to get him to really use his body and to give him a bit of a stimulus ahead of the race.

"The track was a little on the heavy side, but he moved well and kept his balance nicely. I thought it was a good piece of work."

Prix Niel: Leffard's preparation has 'gone well' 

Leffard: Grand Prix de Paris winner runs in the Prix NielCredit: Racing Post/Burton

After years of finding the Arc too steep a mountain to climb, Jean-Claude Rouget appears to have found the key to the race, winning with Sottsass in 2020 and Ace Impact in 2023.

Leffard has been the undoubted star of a difficult season and the son of Le Havre makes his comeback in the Qatar Prix Niel (4.00) after running down Trinity College late in the Grand Prix de Paris in July.

"His preparation has gone well," said Rouget. "Leffard worked with [Prix Foy candidate] Arrow Eagle on Monday on the racecourse at Deauville. They finished upsides, although we didn't ask too much of them.

"I didn't see much interest in running him at Deauville in August and I'm pleased there is now a four-week gap from the Niel to the Arc."

Fabre sends two contenders to a race he has won 12 times, with William Buick back on Cualificar after the pair finished runners-up in the Prix du Jockey Club, a race in which Nitoi failed to figure. 

"They both needed the run in Deauville and I think Cualificar might need another run, because he got quite heavy," said Fabre. "But for the first time he will have good ground and a mile and a half, so I'm quite confident.

"Nitoi pleased me in Deauville, where he moved very well and showed that big action of his. He is a nice horse and he will be competitive, But again, it's a prep race and we won't kill them for the win."

Bay City Roller: runs against fellow three-year-olds in the Prix NielCredit: Edward Whitaker

Bay City Roller steps up in trip after two attempts at ten furlongs, having failed to build on a promising second to Daryz when blowing the start at York on his most recent start.

"He'll appreciate any ease in the ground, which he hasn't had until now," said Callum Shepherd, who has ridden the George Scott-trained Group 2 winner on each start. 

"He's up to winning at this level and the mile and a half is a new venture, but if he stays he will be competitive and that will give us some more options. 

"He got a bit upset in the stalls at York last time and I'm happy to forgive him that run."

Tennessee Stud returns to France for the first time since winning the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud last October and could put himself in the Arc picture if recapturing the form which saw him one of the few to make ground from off the pace behind Lambourn in the Derby.

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