Prix de lArc de Triomphe Betting: The verdict on the French runners

Masterstroke's trainer Andre Fabre has won the Arc seven times
The draw has been made and Isabel Mathew believes, of the home runners, Masterstroke and Yellow and Green can reach a place at least...
French horses make up half of the field in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on Sunday, where three-year-olds have an outstanding record.
Shareta finished second in the race last year, and whilst she has continued to improve this year with two Group 1 victories in her last two races, others are preferred due to soft ground. Gutsy in the Yorkshire Oaks where she had to battle hard, she came out and took the Prix Vermeille easily by two lengths, really impressing.
In a similar position to 2010 runner up Sarafina last year, it will be hard for her to give weight to the three-year-olds, but she seems in fantastic form and has been working really well up to this race. Aside from this, she also has to contend with the number 11 draw.
Nicolas Clement's Yellow And Green is a very interesting contender, as ground conditions are key to this daughter of Monsun, and they are in her favour this time. Ridden too patiently when fourth in the Prix Vermeille last time, she has been improving with every run.
A Group 2 winner with a huge stride, connections have thought carefully about running her, and this is only her trainer's second runner in the Arc, having won with his first (Saumarez in 1990).
Saonois was a surprise winner of the Prix de Jockey Club in June before cementing his reputation in the Prix Niel last time. This wasn't a very strong affair, the same of which can be said for France's three-year-old generation.
Supplemented for this race, this will be his first time up against older horses, and a first ride in the Arc for his jockey Antoine Hamelin. Connections are reportedly very happy his preparation and he has a perfect number two draw. They do however fear that soft ground will not be ideal for the colt, who has an impressive turn of foot.
Andre Fabre holds the record for winning the Arc seven times, and Masterstroke cannot be dismissed likely, especially as the ground will be to his liking. He will however have a hugely difficult task from 17.
Never out of the first two in six starts, having won four of them, this colt has plenty of stamina having taken the Group 2 Prix de Deauville last time. From the close family of Sea The Stars and Galileo, his connections obviously think highly of him to let the son of Monsun take his chance.
Meandre was sixth in the 2011 Arc, and despite having won three times at top level including when beating Danedream in June, he appears to be slightly off some of these. He needs good ground to show his best, as well as a good pace, which he is sure to get. His stall 13 is not ideal.
One of three to be supplemented, Bayrir has not stopped progressing having only made his debut in May this year. This will be his seventh race this season having taken the Secretariat Stakes in August, and appears to be a very tough performer. He finished second to Saonois in the Prix Niel last time over his first attempt at 2400m, and will have to improve once again to figure, especially from stall 14.
Solemia is another interesting contender with a perfect draw in six, where three of the last seven winners have come from. She finished third in the Prix Vermeille last time, having previously beaten Shareta by a nose in May (it was however the latter's seasonal comeback). Highly regarded by her connections, she goes on any ground, and seems to have plenty of stamina, but could find it hard going in this company.
Unbeaten going into the Prix de Jockey Club, Kesampour slightly disappointed when finishing fourth. Not seen since then, the son of King's Best then came back in the Prix Niel, leading from the off to finish down the field. Interesting that his connections have still decided to run him, and whilst he will definitely strip fitter, he has some ground to make up.
Whilst the quality France's three-year-old generation in question, it is hard to deny the statistics, which could see interesting runs from relative outsiders Yellow and Green and Masterstroke.
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