Leung Ho Yin, Simon's Bio
Simon is a well respected full-time thoroughbred racing commentator specializing in overseas international racing. Bringing with him a wealth of racing knowledge, Simon is the host and race caller for the overseas simulcast programme since 2008/09 season. He is currently the presenter on several racing television programmes including, ‘Banker’, ‘Racing Horizon’ and ‘Horse Racing – Results’.

ParisLongchamp Racecourse – Track Analysis (Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe Day):

By the picturesque bank of the Seine, the fabled Longchamp Racecourse – now re-christened as ParisLongchamp – has long been associated as the home of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. With a 1000m chute streaking right through the middle of a vast 2750m turf oval, this course has ample track width and long stretches to card full fields.

For the 2400m Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, starters will commence their quest for supremacy with a stout 1000m uphill gallop; though a typical route develops slowly in terms of early pace, outside-drawn runners do find it extra-challenging in fields of 10 or more. Then, after dropping downhill into a sweeping but fast right-handed turn that goes about 500m, runners will enter a 400m elbow – or “false stretch”, while actually still bearing ever so slightly on their right leads – before racing for all their worth in that grueling 530m cavalry charge down the stretch.

In the 2017 edition of this premier event – still ran at Chantilly – eventual winner ENABLE, who tracked the leaders in perfect striking position, took command at the top of the stretch, and never looked back, while CLOTH OF STARS and ULYSSES, both stalking ENABLE midway through contention, were late to the scene to check in respectively second and third.

For the rest of the night’s undercard, the 2000m Prix de l’Opera does trace primarily the same trip as the main feature, with the only difference an abbreviated 600m run on the backside; meanwhile, with about 200m run-up to the first turn in the 1400m barrier, where starters for both the Prix de la Foret and the Grand Handicap des Flyers will break from, is situated separately at the top right-hand corner of this venue, and runners drawing high numbers will have their work cut out for them. Back on the 1000m chute, where the Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp will be staged, race dynamics do vary from one cavalry charge to the next; that being said, closers rallying from the middle of the course do perform better on average.

After a 30-month face-lift, the new ParisLongchamp reopened on 29th April this year. Reviewing the most recent meeting at this particular venue on 22nd September, while the portable rail was up, forwardly-placed runners that saved ground did enjoy better results.

Though marginally sunny as of late, rain – and therefore a sticky course – is expected this Sunday in Paris per the local forecasts, which invariably will be a big factor in the final race selections. If the turf can hold off moisture, forwardly-placed runners would still continue to dominate; otherwise, closers that can tread deep are much preferred.

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