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 re-branded ParisLongchamp Racecourse – a landmark as far as International Racing is concerned – 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 championship race of the European season – the 2400m Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe – starters will embark upon their quest for supremacy with a stout 1000m uphill gallop; though many a typical route does prompt a pedestrian pace early, outside-drawn runners do find it extra-challenging in fields of 10 or more. Then, after their rolling downhill into a sweeping but swift right-hander 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 laying it all down through that grueling 530m cavalry charge towards the finish.

In the 2018 edition of this premier event contested on good goings, defending victress ENABLE, who tracked the leaders in perfect striking position – just like the way she did a year ago at Chantilly – snatched the lead at the top of the stretch, then held off an ominous challenge from the ill-fated SEA OF CLASS, who split horses from way back with her dazzling late speed, whereas CLOTH OF STARS, racing mid-pack through the bulk of contention, sneaked up to check in third.

For the rest of the night’s undercard, except for an abbreviated 600m run on the backside, the 2000m Prix de l'Opera for fillies and mares does trace primarily the same trip as the main feature. Meanwhile, starters for both the Prix de la Foret and the Grand Handicap des Flyers will break from a separate 1400m chute 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 said, closers that knife the pack from way off the pace do perform better on average.

Reviewing the most recent meeting at ParisLongchamp on 15th September, while the official listing was good, the track was playing quite fair by and large, where winners did come from both on and off the speed.

With continued precipitation teasing the Paris area through Sunday, as per the latest local forecasts, a potentially soft strip would make it further tricky on the final race selections. If the turf can hold off moisture, forwardly-placed runners would still dominate; otherwise, closers that love some give in the herbage are much preferred.

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