The stage is set for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, or ‘The Arc’ as it’s more commonly known, at Longchamp on Sunday.
Here’s a runner-by-runner guide ahead of Europe’s richest and most prestigious flat race.
Ace Impact (Jean-Claude Rouget/Cristian Demuro) – 5/2
Exciting three-year-old son of Cracksman is unbeaten in five starts, including the French Derby in June. In receipt of the extremely valuable weight-for-age allowance, he’s impossible to fault for a trainer/jockey combo that won their first Arc in 2020. Huge chance from a favourable stall (8).
Bay Bridge (Sir Michael Stoute/Richard Kingscote) – 10/1
Talented five-year-old has serious claims on peak form. Below par for most of the calendar year, but he returned to something like at Kempton in early September, relishing his first try at 1m4f. Very dangerous from stall 6, which is where last year’s hero Alpinista emerged from.
Continuous (Aidan O’Brien/Ryan Moore) – 11/2
Impressive Betfred St Leger winner was supplemented for a cool €120,000 earlier this week. Not to be sniffed at as the only runner for top connections, but no Leger winner has ever followed up in the Arc in the same season and he was comfortably beaten by Ace Impact at Chantilly. Not without a chance, however, especially from stall 7.
Fantastic Moon (Sarah Steinberg/Rene Piechulek) – 9/1
The Germany Derby winner was also supplemented in the week. He beat the more-fancied Feed The Flame fairly easily over course and distance last time out which gives this three-year-old a serious chance. Double-figure stall (12) not ideal, but he’s respected.
Feed The Flame (Pascal Bary/Christophe Soumillon) – 8/1
Plenty of ability and his trainer is confident, but ultimately the son of Kingman has already been beaten by two of his Arc rivals and his draw (2) could have been better. Chance, though, under the fantastic Soumillon.
Free Wind (John & Thady Gosden/Frankie Dettori) – 20/1
Antepost price collapsed when it was hinted last week that the five-year-old mare would be Frankie Dettori’s final Arc ride. That’s now official and she can’t be ruled out as the sole runner for a top yard/jockey, but ultimately her form suggests she has plenty to do. She goes from stall 3.
Haya Zark (Adrien Fouassier/Gerald Mosse) – 100/1
Our rank outsider who’s hard to envisage making a splash. That being said, his career-best performance came over C&D on heavy ground, which is worth keeping in mind if significant rain arrives – and he’s been drawn in stall 4 which will please connections.
Hukum (Owen Burrows/Jim Crowley) – 6/1
According to the betting at time of writing, the six-year-old is the UK’s big hope and that’s hard to argue against. Won a red-hot renewal of the King George at Ascot in July and has been kept fresh since, which tends to get the best out of him. Ground versatile too. Work to do from stall 14, though.
Mr Hollywood (Henk Grewe/Bauyrzhan Murzabayev) – 33/1
One of a few German runners who brings decent form to the table. His latest effort was easily a career-best that entitles him to take his chance from stall 10, but I suspect he’ll find one or two better. Wouldn’t put anyone off an each-way play, however.
Onesto (Fabrice Chappet/Maxime Guyon) – 33/1
On peak form, he’d have a good chance – and stall 9 is a positive. However, the four-year-old son of Frankel has been underwhelming since finishing 10/20, beaten 9L, in last year’s race and others appeal more. One for each-way punters, if anything.
Place Du Carrousel (Andre Fabre/Mickael Barzalona) – 20/1
Nobody has won the Arc more times than legendary trainer Andre Fabre. That alone makes this Lope De Vega filly, who is his only runner, dangerous. Her form is strong too, and her chance only increases if the ground comes up slow. Stall 11 a worry, but she’s an attractive proposition at current prices.
Simca Mille (Stephane Wattel/Alexis Pouchin) – 25/1
In great form coming into Sunday and he certainly wouldn’t be a shock winner of the Arc, but he’s been handed the widest draw (15) possible which is off-putting. Few negatives other than that though, so it would be unwise to completely rule out the four-year-old.
Sisfahan (Henk Grewe/Lukas Delozier) – 100/1
Going off all but one of his last eight runs, and the fact he starts from stall 13, I would give this five-year-old little to no chance of winning the Arc. However, his narrow defeat to Simca Mille in Group 1 company back in September gives him a squeak.
Through Seven Seas (Tomohito Ozeki/Christophe Lemaire) – 12/1
Representing Japan, who continue the bid for their first Arc victory, this year is this five-year-old mare who goes down as a fascinating runner. Hard to weigh up, but she gave the outstanding Equinox a race at Hanshin last time which is a serious bit of form. Very interesting from stall 5.
Westover (Ralph Beckett/Rob Hornby) – 7/1
In the form of his life after a couple of career-best performances, which includes a narrow defeat to Hukum in the King George. Still improving, the Frankel colt goes well fresh and is unbothered by conditions outside of the extremes. A big player, but needs to break smartly from stall 1 or he could have too much to do from the off.
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