Turf Topics - Daniel Tudhope: Returning to Paris with optimism in defence of crown

Then it’s Longchamp on Sunday with hopes of returning as a defending Group One winner.

I begin, though, at Wolverhampton this evening where I ride Ustinov at 8.45pm. A winner at Ayr on Tuesday, the all-weather surface should suit.

Colour Me Happy offers a decent chance in the 2.25pm maiden on Totepool Two- Year-Old Trophy day at Redcar. He’s been runner-up on his first two runs and should come on for that experience.

I take the reins on Rod Millman’s Handytalk in the feature sprint. I haven’t ridden the horse before, but he does boast a win already.

I am, however, much more familiar with my mount in the second Listed contest, the Guisborough Stakes.

So Beloved goes into the race off the back of a Group Three win at Goodwood. He showed his potential early this season when winning a Titanbet-sponsored handicap at York. I think he will have every chance in a small field.

It was great to ride a winner over Irish Champions Weekend and I’m looking forward to British Champions Day in the middle of this month, but for now it’s off to France for Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe day.

I understand that G Force will be supplemented for the Group One Prix de la Foret over seven furlongs at 4.50pm (their time) in which Custom Cut (my mount that afternoon at Leopardstown last month) will also take his chance.

If G Force runs, then I will ride him – and I think the extra furlong will suit him. Drying conditions on what was still described yesterday as ‘good to soft’ ground will not inconvenience him.

Both of David O’Meara’s horses have winning form on Knavesmire so demonstrating that they are class acts. Fingers crossed for a big result, we’d take a one-two for Yorkshire! Using York form might be a good guide to a fascinating day of action. When I’m not in the saddle I’ll be keen to see how York Group One winners Pleascach and Mecca’s Angel go in their big races. Of course, the impressive Treve is set to clash with Betfred Dante hero Golden Horn.

Paris in the autumn is particularly special for me because last year Move In Time won the Prix de l’Abbaye. He’s back on the same track seeking a repeat success and for him to be seen at his best it’s not ground dependant. Move In Time won his prep race over course and distance so we return with optimism.

There are the final two days of racing at York to look forward to. That’s next Friday and Saturday, with the highlight on the second day being the £100,000 Coral Sprint Trophy. I hope I can help David O’Meara claim his third consecutive York trainers’ title.

For more on York’s Countryside and Coral Sprint Trophy days on October 9 & 10 see www.yorkracecourse.co.uk.