What we need is a story to lift the clouds, a hero to ride into the picture and raise the spirits. That hero could be David Maxwell.

Paul Nicholls has always had strong recruitment in France and there are a some very decent horses on this years list with his name

It’s a needle in a haystack at times but there is one name that seems to be the starting point. Willie Mullins

A list of horses to add to the tracker, some will win graded races, some may go right to the top, whilst others may end up running in …

I know its Arc week....but there is a decent Listed Chase today that's worth a look

"The best jumpers in France are making their final preparations for the big day. This card could be very informative"

Having spent most of this year trying to find an angle into the Arc market, the simple fact is that the market probably has it right.

"In truth, if Stradivarius connections truly hope to win the Arc in October, he should be winning this"

My thoughts on a decent card over jumps at Auteuil, some competitive stuff, but I do have a couple of strong fancies.

"In reality, this was a multiple Group 1 winning horse, winning another Group 1, at a track where he has course form"

This is the best mile race we have seen for some considerable time. 6 runners, all group 1 winners over the mile at Paris Longchamp.

"It’s a very controversial opinion, but I think Galleo Conti is overrated"

"His win on Sunday demonstrated that he is at last the finished article"