Rain may affect Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe going

Jim Goldie: Good record at Ayr. Picture: Kate Chandler

The Longchamp ground was reported as officially good to soft yesterday and it will be generally warm and dry until Friday night. A field of 21 stood their ground at the first forfeit stage, with the leading ante-post hopes still in the mix. The likes of Treve and Leading Light are set to be supplemented for €100,000 on Thursday.

John Lee, a forecaster for MeteoGroup, said: “There is a chance of a shower but it is otherwise generally dry on Wednesday, and Thursday will have sunny periods with the chance of an isolated shower. There does appear to be an area of unsettled weather on Friday afternoon and early into Saturday.”

Japanese runner Orfevre was denied victory in the dying strides of the race last year and is primed to try again after an impressive trial when winning the Prix Foy. He is set to be joined by fellow Japanese contender Kizuna, winner of the Prix Niel for trainer Shozo Sasaki.

Just behind Kizuna that day was Aidan O’Brien’s Derby winner Ruler Of The World and he is one possible for Ballydoyle, along with last year’s Derby winner Camelot and Racing Post Trophy winner Kingsbarns

Andre Fabre has left in Intello, Flintshire, Ocovango, Pirika and Penglai Pavilion, while Al Kazeem, Joshua Tree, The Fugue and Very Nice Name are other possibles.

Meanwhile, at Ayr yesterday, Jim Goldie maintained his fine record there this season with his 15th and 16th winners in Compton Heights and Grand Diamond.

Compton Heights (9-1) was a maiden prior to the RBS Mentor Handicap but always looked like collecting under Graham Lee. Although Richard Fahey’s Khelman finished fast into second, he was a length and a quarter down.

Grand Diamond (12-1) won the Debra Charity Handicap in the hands of young Jordan Nason, who has a good strike-rate when riding for Goldie.

Another Scottish trainer having a profitable campaign is Keith Dalgleish, who took his Ayr tally to nine when Sandra’s Diamond (4-5 favourite) and Natures Law (11-2) both got on the scoresheet.

SELECTIONS

Newcastle

2.10 Raven Ridge

2.40 Upholland

3.10 Tarquin

3.45 Rufoof (nap)

4.20 Hit The Jackpot

4.50 King Pin

5.20 Keep It Dark

5.50 Black Douglas

Nottingham

2.00 Fair Flutter

2.30 Merletta

3.00 Perfect Pasture

3.35 Arabian Sunset

4.10 Vermont

4.40 Loved One

5.10 Valentine’s Gift

Salisbury

1.45 Magnus Maximus

2.20 Hands Up

2.50 Lone Warrior

3.20 Monopoli

3.55 King’s Warrior

4.30 Complicit

5.00 Tight Fit

5.30 Eshtyaaq

Kempton

5.40 Volcanic Dust

6.10 Almargo

6.40 Knight Charm

7.10 Compton Bird

7.40 Red Galileo

8.10 Extra Noble

8.40 Troopingthecolour

9.10 Wordismybond