Ante-post Arc tips: who do you fancy for the big race at Longchamp?

Talk of Baaeed's possible Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe bid and Alpinsta's gutsy Yorkshire Oaks triumph has brought the big race at Longchamp into the conversation. But who do our experts fancy based on recent performances?

Alpinista: 'The 8-1 about her looks generous'

By Robbie Wilders, tipster

I advised Alpinista for the Arc at the start of the season and see no reason to jump ship as she has only enhanced her claims with two Group 1 successes closer to home this campaign. That was the deepest Yorkshire Oaks we have seen in many years, and she has shown guts and class in abundance to fend off two top-class rivals in Tuesday and La Petite Coco.

She already holds a comfortable verdict over last season's Arc winner Torquator Tasso and I have no real worries about her if the ground turns soft. The best-priced 8-1 about Alpinista at Longchamp looks generous.

Alpinista: 'Longchamp the target all season'

By Sam Hendry, reporter

If Baaeed turns up then the likelihood is everyone else is playing for places judged on his sensational performance in the Juddmonte International. But even though it was floated as an idea by William Haggas on Thursday morning, my instinct says it's still unlikely he makes the trip to Longchamp with the Irish Champion-Champion Stakes double perhaps a more logical approach.

Alpinista: gutsy grey mare showed all sides of her game at York and is fancied for the ArcCredit: Edward Whitaker

Therefore, I'm a supporter of Alpinista, as I was before her Yorkshire Oaks triumph. She showed all sides of her game at York by bettering a couple of very smart fillies in Tuesday and La Petite Coco and Longchamp has been the target all season. Leaving her 8-1 odds unchanged post-race seemed a very generous move from some bookmakers and that looks a great price to me. She already has winning form over Torquator Tasso and handles soft ground, the prospect of which may be a negative for the connections of Baaeed given the other options on the table.

Pyledriver: 'He should be Europe's number-one contender'

By James Hill, tipster

The picture still looks a bit hazy for the Arc, although surely Pyledriver should be a shorter price following his Ascot heroics. He slammed last year's Arc winner Torquator Tasso in the King George, and he should be Europe's number-one contender on that form, unless Baaeed were to turn up. It's a bit strange he's twice the price of the German horse.

The Japanese deserve to be favourites given their recent success in the US and Dubai, and we'll wait and see with Titleholder, he could be a class apart, but the layers haven't taken any chances with him.

Torquator Tasso: 'Another big effort in the offing'

By Jack Haynes, reporter

Good has featured in the Arc day going description just once in the last five years, with the last three runnings taking place on heavy or very soft ground. The chances of significant ease underfoot, combined with a first crack at 1m4f, provides a question mark for Baaeed . . . and that's if he even turns up!

Torquator Tasso: 2021 Arc winner and King George second is at his best with cut underfootCredit: Edward Whitaker

Alpinista makes plenty of appeal and her Yorkshire Oaks success can be marked up given the stop-start gallop, but my preference remains for last year's winner Torquator Tasso. He was beaten by Alpinista last year on good ground but is at his best with cut underfoot. His King George second suggested another big effort is in the offing on October 2.

Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Longchamp, October 2)

Paddy Power: Evs Baaeed (non-runner money back), 6 Titleholder, 7 Torquator Tasso, 8 Alpinista, Vadeni, 12 Onesto, 14 Pyledriver, Westover, 16 Al Hakeem, Free Wind, Luxembourg, Verry Elleegant, 18 Nashwa, 20 bar

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William Haggas reveals the Arc and Irish Champion will be considered for Baaeed

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