Jump in for Emma's Pause and Clause YOU have to feel sorry for Ireland backers after their unfair defeat at the hands of the fiddling French last Wednesday in Paris. Read Full Story Have Your Shout

Get posting in the Star Forums! You can join the debate and post your own views in the lively Daily Star Forums! News Football Babes Big Brother TV Sport (All) Celebs Music & Film Living Cars Fun

SOLDIER TO PULL RANKS

Soldier of Fortune can take his three-year-old record to five wins from six starts by landing the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and so steal the middle-distance title from under the nose of Derby winner Authorized.

The only setback in Soldier Of Fortune’s season was when he finished fifth behind Authorized at Epsom, a track which hardly suited his long-striding style. 

The key to this son of Galileo is a fast end-to-end gallop, something he also didn’t get in the Derby.

The pace was ideal for him in the Irish Derby, which he won by nine lengths, and also in the Prix Niel, where he recorded a very fast time. 

Aidan O’Brien has left no stone unturned in his bid to win the Paris middle-distance feature for the first time in his illustrious career by supplementing pacemaker Song Of Hiawatha to ensure a true-run race for both the selection and Dylan Thomas. 

Whereas Authorized has produced his best performance over 10 furlongs, Soldier Of Fortune has been a better animal over an extra quarter-mile.

And with a guaranteed pace, I suspect Johnny Murtagh will kick on fully three furlongs out, in a bid to take the sting out of the Derby winner’s finish. 

In fact, should the ground continue to dry out, then I suspect stablemate Dylan Thomas could prove an even bigger danger.

This multiple Group One winner didn’t get the credit he deserved for winning the King George in a canter at Ascot and I believe 12 furlongs is now his preferred distance. In 17 outings, Dylan Thomas has finished out of the frame only three times –  twice on soft ground and once on the dirt in America.

An interesting runner is the German raider Saddex, although he will have to be something
special to turn over the top two.

In the hope that the pacemaker does his job properly, I expect the still-improving Soldier of Fortune to trump Authorized and Dylan Thomas.

In the Prix de l’Abbaye, I fancy SONNY RED to cause a minor shock on his return to the minimum trip for the first time in a while, and for VADAPOLINA to redeem her tarnished reputation by beating Satwa Queen and Light Shift in the Prix de l’Opera.

Other tips: Huntingdon – 2.10 Cool Roxy, 2.40 Tavalu, 3.15 Donovan, 3.50 Pagan Rules, 4.20 Zamboozle, 4.50 Zirkel (nap), 5.20 Rainbow Tree. Uttoxeter – 2.30 Rood Report, 3.05 Sahara Prince, 3.35 The Real Deal, 4.10 Gone To Lunch, 4.40 Rash Moment, 5.10 Cusp, 5.40 Battlefield. Kelso – 2.20 Mr Crystal, 2.50 Lerida, 3.25 Family Affair, 4.00 Front Rank,  4.30 Russian Sky, 5.00 Kinfayre, 5.30 My Bobby.

See Today's Front and Back Pages + Last 7 Days