Arc Weekend: The best bets in the supporting races

Robert Collet, trainer of Nikita du Berlais
Isabel Mathew takes a look at the rest of Longchamp's card on Sunday and recommends three wagers on a day of high class action...
The Arc undercard looks as though a few of the races could go the way of the domestic French challengers on Sunday, starting with the Prix de l'Opera. Some of France's top fillies take their chance in this event, which looks a good opportunity for Galikova to record her first win of the season.
Saved for this "easier target" by Freddy Head rather than running her in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, the softer ground conditions are greatly in favour of this four-year-old, which was not the case when fifth in the Prix Vermeille last time. With only three races this season, she looks as though she will be in top form for this target. Once again Sydarra will make the pace.
Giofra won the Falmouth Stakes in July over a mile, but the four-year-old was slightly disappointing when sixth behind Izzi Top and Galikova at Deauville last time. Still over 2,000 metres, she will appreciate the soft going, over which she finished second to Cirrus des Aigles in the Prix Ganay in April over the track. She seems to perform well at Longchamp.
A surprising two length second in the Prix Vermeille last time to Shareta, Pirika has been supplemented into this event by Andre Fabre. Clearly in top form, this was the performance of her life at her first time at this level, and has to be one to watch from her trainer, who has won it twice before.
Ridasiyna is a very talented but fragile filly, and she threw her chance away at Deauville last time by pulling very strongly and losing her unbeaten record. A time before she had taken a Group 3 by two lengths, and if she can settle looks as though her latest run could be forgotten.
A rangy individual who is very consistent, Leaupartie deserves to be given another try at this level. She has been targeted at this race by Fabrice Chappet and looks the sort to improve further, having finished second in the Prix de la Nonette last time with Ridasyna further behind.
Willie Muir's Purr Along may have the advantage on form in the Prix Marcel Boussac, however there are a few French fillies that could also figure highly in the 10 runner field.
Unbeaten in three starts for provincial trainer Jacques Heloury, Peace Burg took the Prix d'Aumale last time when beating Meri Shika (fourth) and Flotilla (fifth). This daughter of Sageburg has won on all types of ground, and her limitations have yet to be tested.
Topaze Blanche has done nothing wrong in three starts, winning both her last two having finished second on her debut in August. She easily won a conditions event at Saint-Cloud in September, and looks open to further improvement with Frankie Dettori on board.
Supplemented into this contest, Alterite most recently won a Listed race impressively at Craon by four lengths. She has form to make up with Peace Burg, but looks to be on the upgrade although this is a big step up.
What A Name is the only filly in the Prix Jean Luc-Lagardere, and has won two out of her three outings including the Prix La Rochette last time. Connections have chosen to run her against the colts because of the distance, and she receives a 1.5kg allowance. The daughter of Mr. Greeley bids to become the first female since Danishkada to triumph in 1986, and might just prefer a sounder surface.
Trained by Carlos Laffon-Parias, Snowday's performance when unplaced in the Prix Morny is perhaps better than the bare form suggests. Interfered with at the beginning of the race, he was relegated to last before making up ground to finish mid-field. This will be his first time over 1400m, and the son of Falco has solid form having finished behind Reckless Abandon and Sir Prancealot in the Prix Robert Papin.
Wizz Kid is the only French challenger in the Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp field, and was fifth in the race last year. Drawn advantageously in stall six with a confirmed liking for soft ground, she could easily improve on that over a distance that she has won all three of her races over.
A one time highly regarded 1,000 Guineas contender, Mashoora returns to her favourite distance in the Prix de la Foret, and looks a leading contender having already won a Group 3 over the course and distance with a good weight.
Blue Soave has been supplemented having won a prep race for this event in the Group 3 Prix du Pin (Kendam finished third) when making all to be unchallenged for a one and a half length victory. He goes on any ground and has won three times over this distance.
Last year's winner Kasbah Bliss lines up once again in the Prix du Cadran, and now a 10-year-old it looks a difficult task, especially as he needs firm ground to show his best. He has yet to get his head in front this season.
Miss Lago has been running well in these kind of events, and finished second in the Group 1 Prix Royal-Oak last year. She goes on any ground, which can also be said for Vadamar, who led last time before dropping away in the final strides.
The joker in the field is the highly talented five-year-old hurdler Nikita du Berlais, who makes her flat debut. The winner of eight of her 10 races and second in the French Champion Hurdle in June, she won her comeback race in September, and her trainer Robert Collet is convinced that she has the class to run extremely well.
Recommended Bets
Back Galikova in Prix de l'Opera
Back Topaze Blanche in Prix Marcel
Back Nikita Du Berlais in Prix du Cadran