Hollie Doyle has flown to ParisLongchamp for a ride on French Oaks heroine Nashwa today and she also has a strong chance on The Platinum Queen; watch every race from ParisLongchamp exclusively live on Sky Sports Racing
Friday 30 September 2022 17:49, UK
Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle renews her partnership with French Oaks heroine Nashwa in the Prix de l’Opera at Longchamp on Sunday.
The beautiful Nashwa is back in action on Sunday when she attempts to win her third consecutive Group One on a stellar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe day at ParisLongchamp.
Imad Alsagar's daughter of Frankel runs in the Prix de l'Opera Longines (3.50) over ten furlongs - her first start since winning the Nassau Stakes so decisively over the same trip at the Goodwood Festival two months ago.
This will be her second foray to France after her game victory in the French Oaks, the Prix de Diane Longines, at Chantilly back in June.
I put Nashwa through her final paces behind a lead horse on the Round Gallop at Newmarket the other day and she felt as good as ever. John and Thady Gosden have done a great job with her to keep her so fresh and well.
On form, she's the one they all have to beat, and as long as the ground doesn't go too deep I've got every confidence in her pulling it off.
Following such a brave performance for me in the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York I'm thrilled to get back on The Platinum Queen in the Prix de l'Abbaye Longines at Longchamp on Sunday.
Just like at York, it's a big ask for a two-year-old taking on older, stronger sprinters at the highest level but she gave subsequent Group 1 winner Highfield Princess a scare and is well worth her place in an open renewal.
Richard Fahey's filly, who was second in the Flying Childers against her own age group last time, has a decent middle draw and a light weight and should be effective on the soft ground as long as it doesn't get too demanding.
I'd love to see Sir Mark Prescott's wonderful mare Alpinista win the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (3.05) on Sunday for her owner-breeder Kirsten Rausing. What a great experience it's going to be for her regular rider Luke Morris.
However, I expect a big run from Aidan O'Brien's Irish Champion Stakes winner Luxembourg, who has all the credentials to win this great race. Aidan and his jockey Ryan Moore have always held this colt in the highest regard.
He's been brilliantly handled and looks like he's just reaching his peak at the right time. The forecast soft ground won't hold any fears for the son of Camelot, who steps up to 12 furlongs for the first time but is bred to appreciate every yard of it and certainly has the gears to deliver a power-packed finish.
