French Handicappers Corner: Allez Orfevre

Longchamp Racecourse.
The Arc is just under three weeks away now, and David Johnson looks back on their major trials from this weekend at Longchamp alongside the rest of the Group-race action on the card...
Once again the major trials for the Arc bore little relation to the way the main event is likely to pan out. Both the Niel and the Foy attracted small fields that were run at a crawl, and whilst the Vermeille was run at a better gallop, the form of the principals is some way short of that likely to be required in the Arc itself.
The Foy was notable for the European debut of Japanese Triple Crown winner Orfevre. He has earned a Timeform rating of 131 for his form at home, and he didn't need to put up a performance anywhere near that level to win the Foy. Having failed to settle held up, he produced an impressive turn of foot to go from last to first early in the straight and was doing no more than necessary in front. Awarded a performance figure of 123 on Sunday, Orfevre should be able to show more like his home form in the Arc, and on Timeform ratings, he, alongside Snow Fairy, is the main threat to Danedream.
At one stage, the Arc was traditionally won by the top French-trained 3-y-o colt, but not since Rail Link in 2006 has that been the case, and judged on the latest Niel, it will be a surprise if that statistic is put right in 2012. Run at an even slower pace than the Foy, the Niel field finished in a heap, and it's to Saonois' credit that he weaved through from rear to run out a ready winner. Even when upgrading him 3 lb over the bare result, a master rating of 122 leaves him some way short of Arc winning standard.
In the Vermeille, Shareta followed up her win in the Yorkshire Oaks in ready fashion, right back to her best of 122. The first three places in that contest were all filled by 4-y-os, Pirika coming from well back and improving from 112 to 118 whilst Solemia stepped up to 118 from 116.
The Moulin cut up badly to only four runners and Farhh maintained his record as the best horse in training yet to win a pattern race by going down narrowly to Moonlight Cloud. Separated by just a head, they finished as their pre-race ratings suggested they should and they remain unchanged with Moonlight Cloud 126 and Farhh 128.
The French sprinters continue to look a weak bunch and British raiders recorded a 1-2 in the Prix du Petit Couvert, Monsieur Joe improving to 117 with Inxile unchanged on 114 as the pair dominated from after halfway.
In the Prix Gladiateur , Ivory Land confirmed himself as one of the most progressive stayers in Europe with his neck defeat of Miss Lago. Winning for the third time in four starts this year, he's now rated 121, and looks the one to beat in the Prix du Cadran.
Timeform adjusted ratings for Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
143 - Danedream
140 - Orfevre, Snow Fairy
138 - Nathaniel
137 - Camelot, St Nicholas Abbey, Sea Moon