THERE is plenty of sport to look forward to this weekend, as the Bookies.com team are making final preparations for a World Cup bonanza. We love our French horse racing, and given that At The Races are screening Sunday’s Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris card from Auteuil, we ought to take a look at the big race itself which is off at 2.12pm UK time.

Call it the French Gold Cup, call it the French Grand National, call it what you like, but the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris is the highlight of the French jumps season. Fourteen horses are set to slug it out for €820,000 in prize money over the gruelling trip of 5,800 metres. The field have to negotiate a total of twenty three obstacles, and several horses will give up long before the final fence in the home straight.

Most of the talk in the French racing press has been centred around last year’s winner, Remember Rose. His preparation for the big race has gone very well, and thousands of punters will be trusting jockey Christophe Pieux with their euros on the PMU.

She may not win the 2010 Grand Steeple, but Princesse d’Anjou will bow out on Sunday as a champion. It is hard to believe, but the toughest mare in training ran in a claimer with a tag of €14,000 back in 2005. She has since won the Grand Steeple twice, in 2006 and 2008, both when partnered by Irish jockey Philip ‘Philippe’ Carberry.

She is now 9-years-old, but she still has a realistic chance of finishing in the places on Sunday. You can never afford to leave her out of your calculations, even if this is her swansong.  

So is Remember Rose a ‘good thing’ on Sunday?

100/1 Norville du Bois

On what he has showed us so far in his Auteuil career, Norville du Bois has absolutely no chance of winning this race. Better suited for handicap chases, or egg and spoon races like the €14,000 Grand Steeple-Chase de Saumur.

100/1 Mayev

Last won a race in 2008, and got absolutely trounced when he was last seen at the course in the Prix Guillaume Javoy. Strike a line through Mayev’s name on your racecard. 

33/1 Dayladam

Reported to be in fine fettle at home, and Dayladam comes here as a fresh horse. In 2009 he managed third place in the Prix La Haye Jousselin, so he cannot be ruled out as easily as a contender like Mayev. Other runners make more appeal.

14/1 Polar Rochelais

In my opinion, Polar Rochelais is not quite a Grade 1 horse. We know he is a quality animal on his day, as he won a Grade 2 chase last June, but I can seem him being outclassed here. Polar Rochelais is a genuine stayer, and his trainer Patrice Quinton has stated that he does not want the ground too soft for his stable star.

33/1 Lord Carmont

Lord Carmont is eleven-years-old, but he did not race at all last year. This is certainly his last Grand Steeple, and there is no doubt that he is suited by the marathon trip. Back to form this year, it would not be a shock to see him sneak into the places.

Blue Square are offering odds of 33/1 about Lord Carmont, but the French think that he will get sent off near the 6/1 mark on the PMU.

4/1 Doumaja

Doumaja warrants plenty of respect on the back of his win in the Prix Inge, in which he beat Remember Rose, who was at 17/10 on the French Tote. He is training very well at the moment, but his trainer Guy Cherel reckons that he will come up just short on the day.

Worthy of consideration.

16/1 Ramsès Bleu

Jockey Cyrille Gombeau won this race in 2007 on Mid Dancer, but this year he has elected to ride Doumaja instead of Ramsès Bleu.

Ramsès Bleu has had 6 starts this year, and it is not often that you see horses who spent the winter racing around Pau winning the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris.

5/2 Remember Rose

Remember Rose. Remember his win last year, when he was partnered by Christophe Pieux who finished the race with a fractured foot. Remember that he has won the last two renewals of the Prix La Haye Jousselin.

It never pays to get too attached to these champions, but Remember Rose will be spot on physically to win his second Grand Steeple on Sunday. He jumps and he stays, but he is a very short price for the demanding contest.

Hard to pick holes in this favourite - as he has never once fallen in his thirty races!

16/1 Odeillo du Mathan

Odeillo du Mathan finished second in the Prix Murat at 40/1, but he needs heavy ground to be seen at his best. Unlikely to reverse the Prix Ingre form with Remember Rose.

10/1 Objectif Spécial

Trainer Guy Cherel has 4 horses in the race, and Objectif Spécial is a previous winner of the Prix du Président de la République.

Has had an interesting preparation for the Grand Steeple, having raced on the flat at Compiègne and over hurdles at Auteuil. He is very fresh and could surprise a few punters on Sunday. 

11/2 Pommerol

Trainer François Doumen has won the Grand Steeple 5 times before, and is a master when it comes to the big occasions. Having just said that, Pommerol does not have the form to suggest he can get involved at the business end of this race. Dismiss.

7/1 Louping d’Ainay

You cannot miss Louping d’Ainay. He is a smashing grey who is running for the same connections as Princesse d’Anjou. In fact, if you bet on him on the PMU, the 2 horses will be coupled together.

As far as his form goes, he missed 2009 but has come back with a bang, managing to finish second in the Prix Ingre. He is flying at home, and is at ’200%’ according to his trainer. Tempting.

6/1 Princesse d’Anjou

If you see Princesse d’Anjou in the parade ring you will probably laugh. The François Cottin-trained mare looks more like a yearling, who is racing against huge muscular geldings. But as a New York Times blogger puts it, ‘she jumps like a flea and has the heart of a lion.’

She hasn’t won a race since 2008, but the French punters have fond memories of Princesse d’Anjou’s big wins at this course. Her trainer thinks that she is as good as ever at 9-years-old, and there are worse each-way bets out there on today’s card.

8/1 Slingshot

Slingshot is only 5-years-old, but the race he won earlier this month at the track was only listed class. Needs more experience, and connections are happy simply to be taking part. He should be more like 50/1.

bookies.com Grand Steeple 1-2-3:

1. Louping d’Ainay 7/1

2. Remember Rose 5/2

3. Doumaja 4/1

Prices quoted are Blue Square’s odds as of Saturday 29 May. I thought that Slingshot and Pommerol would be more like 33/1!

bookies.com is your best bet for comparing betting odds on French horse racing.

Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris Betting Odds

Prix La Barka Betting Odds (4.45pm UK time)

Season 9 of American Idol concludes on Wednesday night with a grand finale, and we already have some clues about which stars will perform on the final show of the year. As far as the betting markets can tell, Lee DeWyze will come into the finale as a hot favourite. 

Kris Allen and Carrie Underwood are both previous winners of the televised competition, and they will be joined for the singing extravaganza by the likes of Christina Aguilera and Enrique Iglesias.

TV viewers can catch the finale at 8pm on Fox in the US, and each contestant will have to sing a total of 3 songs on the night.

Crystal Bowersox spent about 3 months as the bookies’ warm favourite to win season 9 of American Idol, but she has been recently displaced at the head of the betting market by finale-rival Lee DeWyze.

American Idol bettors are fully aware that men have won the previous two editions of the competition, and as a result are more than happy to support DeWyze in the betting at short odds of 4/9 (bet $90 to make $40 profit). 

DeWyze was discounted at the start of the show as a 20/1 outsider, but his odds have only recently started plummeting in the past few weeks. He is a former paint salesman from Illinois, and has serenaded voters with brilliant covers of ‘Hey Jude’ and ‘Hallelujah’.

The favourite has been matched at odds of 64/1 on Betfair, and backers will be praying that voters remember him for his brilliant performances throughout the show if things do not go to plan on the night. Perhaps this will give him a significant edge over his rival, Bowersox, who has been noticeably weak of late and has even been described as ‘boring’ by leading pundits.

Bowersox is best-priced at 13/8 (bet $80 to win $130 profit) with UK bookies such as Stan James and William Hill. She won the coin toss and elected to go second in the finale, but it is not exactly a significant advantage. The underdog has been matched at a low of 1.20 (1/5) on the betting exchanges, but she still cannot be entirely discounted at decimal odds of 3.10.

bookies.com is your best bet for comparing betting odds on American Idol.

2010 American Idol Finale Winner Betting Odds

2010 Eurovision Song Contest Winner Betting Odds

Never mind who wins today’s Heineken Cup final. The very fact that it will be contested by Biarritz and Toulouse confirms the recent French domination in rugby union. However that will not satisfy British punters, so we ought to take a look at the betting markets for the Heineken Cup final.

Toulouse are available to back at odds of 4/11 with Corals and Stan James, which makes them the overwhelming favourites to win a record fourth Heineken Cup today. Thierry Dusautoir’s team-mates ended a seven year trophy drought in 2008, and have since gone from strength to strength.

Today’s favourites were available to back at 5/1 before this tournament had even begun, and you would imagine that plenty of backers will be delighted to be holding betting slips with those ‘fancy’ odds. However punters seeking out a value bet today are not going to get rich quickly by betting £110 to win £40 profit on a Toulouse win.

Stade Toulousain lost the 2008 Heineken Cup final by 3 points, and there will be plenty who will side with a Biarritz win, which is priced at 100/30 with Irish bookmaker Boylesports. Totesport do not think that the match will end in a draw, and are trying to tempt punters with a 25/1 quote on the most unlikely outcome.

Centre Damien Traille has been ruled out of the final, but the news that Imanol Harinordoquy is fit for action is a big boost for the underdogs.

The France number 8 has won the Six Nations five times, and is a 22/1 chance with William Hill to score the first try of the match. Unsurprisingly, the bookies make Toulouse winger Vincent Clerc their 12/1 favourite in that popular market

Wingers have the best chance of registering the first try, but English punters may be tempted to have a dabble on either 20/1 Iain Balshaw or 28/1 Magnus Lund, who both play for Biarritz.

Odds compilers at Bet365 expect Toulouse to win the big match by 7 points, which is their handicap line. If you head down to Ladbrokes before the match begins, you can bet on Biarritz to win with a 20 point head start at odds of 1/8.

Toulouse are 20/1 with Paddy Power to win the Heineken Cup final to nil, and are 4/6 to win the race to 10 points.

bookies.com is your best bet for comparing rugby union betting odds.

Biarritz Olympique v Stade Toulousain Match Betting

Biarritz Olympique v Stade Toulousain Handicap Betting

Biarritz Olympique v Stade Toulousain First Tryscorer Betting

It is not exactly breaking news when the richest football club in the world gets linked with a hot prospect, but the Yoann Gourcuff rumour may have some substance to it. The 23 year old French international is one of Lyon’s top priorities this summer, but Manchester City’s offer may prove too attractive to resist for the talented midfielder.

Last year’s French Player of the Year has had a disappointing season with Bordeaux, who only managed to finish 6th in the league. The departure of coach Laurent Blanc and a lack of European football next season means that Gourcuff will be desperate to find a new club this summer to showcase his talents.

City will not be playing Champions League football next season, but at the moment it looks like they are the only club willing to put the required €26m on the table. Roberto Mancini’s side are yet to make a concrete bid for the playmaker, but I bet they will before the 2010 World Cup. France are 20/1 with Sky Bet to win the competition, but even if Gourcuff plays a couple of decent matches in the competition against the top sides, he could attract further attention in the transfer market.

The President of Bordeaux, Jean-Louis Triaud, would like Gourcuff to stay with his club, but he admits that he is used to ‘letting talented players go’.

Man City are 7/1 with Corals to win the EPL title in 2011, but expect to see those odds tumble after they sign some big names this summer. For example in 2008 when City signed Robinho, punters could not get enough of City and started backing The Citizens in all sorts of markets.

Another big-money move this summer could be Lille’s Eden Hazard. The 19 year old has just been voted as the best young player in Ligue 1 for the second season running, and he could be set for a move. Unsurprisingly, Lyon are interested, but Barcelona have already made a €30m offer for the Belgian international. Zinedine Zidane has also pleaded with Real Madrid to make an offer for Hazard.

bookies.com is your best bet for comparing football betting odds this summer.

2010 Fifa World Cup Betting Odds

Premier League 2010/2011 Winner Betting Odds

SPECIAL DUTY is attempting to emulate the likes of Miesque and Ravinella by completing the French-English 1000 Guineas double, but she will face a high class field of fillies in the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches at Longchamp on Sunday. Only 2 favourites have won this race in the last ten years, so it could pay to look elsewhere.

Luckily for punters, Bookies Blog is here to check out this precocious bunch of fillies:

10/1 Lady Of The Desert

Lady Of The Desert is sent over by Manton-based trainer Brian Meehan and is the only raider in the field. She has never run at Longchamp before, but she has already had a brilliant career. She has never won over further than 6 furlongs and could only manage third on her seasonal reappearance in the Fred Darling Stakes. Until Lady Of The Desert proves she gets the mile trip, she has to be opposed.

Ridden by Kieren Fallon.

9/1 Full Steam

8 of the last ten winners of this race won last time out, and that’s what Full Steam did up at Chantilly last month. Jockey Maxime Guyon rates her highly and its difficult to get a grip on just how good her form is. At least PMU players can sleep well on Saturday night knowing that she will be coupled with Special Duty on the French tote, because both fillies are owned by the Prince Abdullah.

6/4 Special Duty

Even though I have backed Special Duty on her last couple of starts, I’m prepared to take her on this time in what looks like a classy field of Pouliches. Plenty of punters will be smashing into Criquette Head-Maarek’s filly on the basis that she won the English 1000 Guineas a couple of weeks ago at Newmarket, but she was heavily favoured by the draw on that occasion. Without wanting to take too much away from what is certainly a classy filly, the first five home were all drawn low: 1, 4, 2, 6, 7.

Connections wouldn’t risk her if she was still feeling the effects of a hard tussle with Jacqueline Quest, but this race could come too soon.

3/1 Rosanara

Rosanara is trained by Alain de Royer Dupré and will be ridden by the Aga Kahn’s retained rider, Christophe Patrice Lemaire. She is very well bred and may be a decent price on the basis that she ‘only’ finished third in the Prix de la Grotte at 2/1.

We saw with Special Duty that these three year olds often come on for the run, and this has been the targeted race. The Aga Khan won this race with the exceptional Zarkava in 2008, but wasn’t represented last year.

She has the best two year old form in the field, as she won the Prix Marcel Boussac last year, the same race that Zarkava won in 2007… She also ran well behind Jan Vermeer in the Critérium International, and that colt could turn out to be very good indeed.

5/1 Joanna

Jean-Claude Rouget’s star filly actually beat Special Duty in the Prix Imprudence, and at least we know that Joanna is high class. She began her career in Italy and finished third in the Prix Marcel Boussac last year behind Rosanara. Interestingly enough, she has shown better form than Rosanara this year, and thus looks a real threat with Christophe Soumillon doing the steering.

33/1 Liliside

François Rohaut saddles Liliside and Baine. He is in terrific form, but neither filly is up to this task.

25/1 Dolled Up

Has won twice in her nine starts, but will be outclassed here. Difficult to even make a case for Dolled Up as an each way wager.

25/1 Barouda

Won a Group Three race at Deauville in 2009 but got stuck in traffic in the Prix de la Grotte. Finished seventh on that occasion and is capable of better. Long shot.

20/1 Ayun Tara

Ayun Tara was running in claimers last year, which really puts me off! She was only beaten a length in the UAE 1000 Guineas, but that was won by a 56/1 shot. Unfashionable choice.

60/1 Baine

Same trainer as Liliside, and like her Baine has only won a listed race. Take her on.

Bookies.com Poule d’Essai des Pouliches 1-2-3:

1. Joanna 5/1

2. Rosanara 3/1

3. Barouda 25/1

bookies.com is your best bet for comparing flat racing betting odds.

French 1000 Guineas Betting

French 2000 Guineas Betting

Investec Derby Betting Odds

Investec Oaks Betting Odds

Ascot Gold Cup Betting Odds

The Eurovision Song Contest is not everyone’s cup of tea, but as far as we are concerned, it offers brilliant betting opportunities. The 2010 final is set to take place on May 29 in Norway, but a total of 34 nations will have a semi-final to negotiate a few days earlier.

The ‘Big Four’ nations are already assured of a place in the final – they include UK, Germany, France and Spain.

Norway, the host country, is also guaranteed its place in the final line-up, and can be backed at odds of 28/1 with Victor Chandler. Norway have won the contest three times before in its history, but it will be a tall order to secure back-to-back wins, just as Ireland did in 1993.

However, as a host nation, it should receive plenty of sympathetic votes, and is 3/1 to finish in the Top 4.

In terms of the betting, Azerbaijan are the hot favourites at 5/2. They finished third in last year’s competition – no mean feat considering they only made their Eurovision debut in 2008. The bookmakers fancy Safura Alizadeh to go even better with ‘Drip Drop’. Safura ‘plays the saxophone brilliantly’ and is a 7/4 chance to win the 2nd Semi Final.

The bookies are reckon that Germany are in with a shout at 4/1. The Germans have only won the competition once since its inception, and that was back in 1982. In recent years they have finished 20th, 23rd, 19th and 14th, but 18 year-old singer Lena Meyer-Landrut is set to put the record straight with ‘Satellite‘. The song ticks all the right boxes, and stormed to number one in the German charts.

Israel can be backed at 8/1 with Sky Bet, but Corals have taken a different view at 5/1. The Israelis have won the competition three times before, and are up against Azerbaijan in their semi final. Singer Harel Skaat is a superstar at home, but it remains to be seen whether he can capture the interest of the European voters.

There has also been a bit of money for Denmark at 8/1. Their entry, ‘In a Moment Like This’, peaked at number two on the Danish Singles Chart. Denmark are 8/11 with Ladbrokes to be the Top Scandinavian Country.

The United Kingdom are given no chance by the layers on Betfair, who are willing to offer odds of 250/1 about an unlikely British victory. Irish bookmakers Boylesports have taken the view that Ireland will finish higher than the Brits, by going 1/4 that Ireland wins the match bet.

Before placing a bet on the Eurovision, note that Bet365, Ladbrokes, Paddy Power, Sky Bet and Stan James are offering generous ‘each way terms’ with four places. The way that works is if you back a nation ‘each way’ and it finishes in the first four, you’ll assure yourself of a decent payout.

I am going to have a bet on Germany at 4/1, but that won’t stop me cheering every vote that the UK picks up on the big night. Can we beat the Irish? I certainly hope so!

bookies.com is your best bet for comparing betting odds on the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest.

2010 Eurovision Song Contest Winner Betting

2010 Eurovision Song Contest Top 4 Betting

2010 Eurovision Song Contest Top 10 Betting

2010 Eurovision Song Contest Top Scandinavian Country Betting

Denis Menchov look the lead in stage 12 of last year’s edition of the Giro, and the Russian fought off the prolonged challenge from Danilo Di Luca to win the prestigious Tour of Italy in 2009.

However, the likes of Menchov and 2008 winner Alberto Contador will both be preparing for the Tour De France, so will miss the Giro, and Lance Armstrong will be riding in the Tour of California. With a number of high-profile absentees, the bookies have installed Cadel Evans as the 13/8 favourite to win the Giro, which begins on May 8. 

The Aussie is a very versatile rider, but there will be plenty of punters who are looking someone who has still yet to win a Grand Tour. The world road cycling champion has gears on the flat and is a more than capable climber, but has never been under the spotlight before. The pressure could get to him, but he has the Team BMC to back him up.

Next in the betting is Carlos Sastre, who is attracting bits and pieces of money at odds of 9/2. The 2008 Tour de France winner has had a light season so far, and proved his aptitude for the Italian equivalent by finishing third last year. Sastre rides for Cervelo TestTeam, which managed to win individual stages in each of the three Grand Tours last year.

Sastre is a climbing specialist, and it may be more profitable for his fans to hang onto their cash until the hills. The first mountain stage is on 16 May, when the riders must get from Chianciano to Monte Terminillo.

The third choice of punters on paper is Ivan Basso at 5/1. The Italian can boast a win in this race, but his career has been tainted by a doping scandal. Will punters be able to forgive the Liquigas star?

Bradley Wiggins will have his backers at 25/1, but surely he will be saving himself for the Tour de France. Wiggins is 7/2 with Bet365 to win the first stage in Holland, a time trial in Amsterdam.

Personally, I think that Alexandre ‘Vino’ Vinokourov could be worth an each way investment at 9/1 (Corals, Blue Square). Vino had a year off the roads because he got caught up in yet another doping scandal, but his recent comments in the press suggest that he is highly motivated for more success.

Punters will worry about his backup from Team Astana, and the fact that Vino has been terribly inconsistent in these Grand Tours. However, I think that the price of 9/1 factors in those negatives, and that it is highly significant that he just recently won the Liege-Bastogne-Liege race. Vino is 4/7 with Bet365 to finish in the top 10.  

There are plenty of other markets being offered by the bookmakers for the Giro, such as the King of the Mountains. Stefano Garzelli is the 9/2 favourite in that market, but he could face competition from 7/1 shot Domenico Pozzovivo.

These are the last five winners of the Giro, together with their betting odds at the time:

2009: D. Menchov 10/1

2008: A. Contador 4/1

2007: D. Di Luca 66/1

2006: I. Basso 6/5

2005: P. Savoldelli 25/1

bookies.com is your best bet for comparing cycling betting odds.

2010 Giro d’Italia Outright Winner Betting Odds

2010 Giro d’Italia top 3 Finish Betting Odds

2010 Tour de France Betting Odds

French-trained horses completed an historic Guineas double last weekend at Newmarket, but both Makfi and Special Duty will be sent off at shorter odds on their next few starts. The Bookies Blog team have selected an elite team of four horses to follow for the 2010 flat racing season, that may be sent off at decent prices in top races. We’re hoping that these four animals will line our pockets with plenty of dosh before the jumps season finally gets underway again.

Overdose

Overdose is a star Hungarian sprinter that has become a Bookies Blog favourite over time. He missed last season with a foot infection, but has won his 12 starts to date. Critics will say that those races were minor affairs, and that he has yet to prove himself at the highest level. However he showed bags of speed to win the voided Prix de l’Abbaye in 2008, and if the bargain purchase has recovered from his injury, I feel he may win some big sprints in Europe this season. He is entered in the Golden Jubilee Stakes and the Kings Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Cutlass Bay

Cutlass Bay won the Prix Ganay convincingly last Sunday, but perhaps his brilliant performance has slipped under the radar somewhat. This son of Halling beat Cavalryman as a three year old, and has since proved that he really is top class. With the likes of Sea The Stars and Zarkava looking on from their paddocks, I’m hoping that Cutlass Bay can win an eighth Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe for French trainer Andre Fabre. He looks a good antepost bet for that race at 10/1 with Bet365 and William Hill, and he is still unbeaten like Overdose!

Burj Nahar

Burj Nahar is another horse from the Godolphin team, and he is our only three year old to follow this season. His breeding is outstanding, as he is by Shamardal and out of Sea The Stars’ half-sister Melikah. He bolted up in his maiden at odds of 8/11 and was then given a 25/1 quote for the Epsom Derby. He will only reappear later on in the season, but he is certainly one for Frankie Dettori to look forward to, wherever he turns up.

Harbinger

Harbinger is a four year old colt, by Dansili, and trained by Sir Michael Stoute. He was talked up as a St Leger candidate last year, and made a great start to 2010 by winning the John Porter Stakes at Newbury comfortably. He is racing tomorrow in the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes at Chester, which I expect him to win and go on to even better things as he certainly has a progressive profile. He stays one and a half miles and is ridden by champion jockey Ryan Moore.    

bookies.com is your best bet for comparing flat racing betting odds.

Investec Derby Betting Odds

Investec Oaks Betting Odds

Ascot Gold Cup Betting Odds

With a French-trained winner of the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket this weekend, it seems appropriate that we turn our attentions towards the first Group 1 of the season over in France.

Nine runners are lining up in the Prix Ganay, a 2100m race open to horses four years or older. It is a cracking trial for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, and has been won by the likes of Dylan Thomas, Vision D’Etat and Bago in recent years.

All of the UK high street bookies are taking bets on the Prix Ganay today. Here are the runners and their betting odds:

33/1 Pallodio

Promising earlier on in his career, but the fact that his last run was at Lingfield tells you all you need to know about his level of ability.

11/2 Chinchon

Trained by Carlos-Laffon Parias, and had to miss the Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Hong Kong due to the recent volcanic ash debacle. Made a winning reappearance in a Group 3 and has a leading chance in this event.

William Hill are the only bookies to go 11/2. Looks generous.

40/1 The Bogberry

This horse has some ability, but is not up to winning this.

6/5 Cutlass Bay

Looks to have an outstanding chance for the French Godolphin operation. He beat Cavalryman as a three year old and won a Group 2 on his seasonal reappearance. Maxime Guyon rides Cutlass Bay for André Fabre, and he is best priced at 6/5 with Bet365 this morning.

He is 10/1 for the Arc with Stan James, and that looks like a very reasonable price.

40/1 King of Sydney

Has won a Group 2 in Germany for Mario Hofer, and his form is very hard to assess. Probably not good enough.

16/1 Starlish

Starlish is a dependable horse, that makes each-way appeal. I cannot see him reversing the Prix Harcout form with Cutlass Bay.

12/1 Court Canibal

Improving all the time and finished like a train to be second to Cutlass Bay on his last run. Trained by the man of the moment, Mikel Dezangles.

6/1 Shalanaya

Won the Group 1 Prix de l’Opéra last year, and I’m surprised that they kept her in training. Interesting to see her taking on the boys, and must not be underestimated.

10/1 Célimène

Finished fourth in last year’s Prix de Diane. This is a very tough assignment.

bookies.com is your best bet for comparing French horse racing betting odds.

Prix Ganay Betting Odds

Arc de Triomphe Betting Odds