Arc de Triomphe racecard: Runners, riders, prices and odds for Sunday’s Group 1 contest
ENABLE will face 11 rivals as she bids for her third win in the Arc De Triomphe on Sunday.
Here, we take a look through her rivals and see if any can get close to her.
1 (4) French King – Olivier Peslier/H-A Pantall 50-1
Outsider who has won a Group 2 and Group 1 contest in Germany on his last two starts. Last time out he got the better of British raiders Communique and Old Persian and that form is nowhere near good enough to be challenging Enable. Would be a surprise winner and is 50-1 for a reason.
2 (3) Waldgeist – Pierre-Charles Boudot/A Fabre 16-1
Talented French performer who finished fourth in the Arc last year behind Enable. That was a cracking run and he has looked good this year including when winning the Prix Foy on his last start. Certainly has place claims and could be a value each-way bet in the race.
3 (12) Ghaiyyath – William Buick/Charlie Appleby 10-1
Charlie Appleby’s four-year-old threw his hat in the ring when absolutely bolting up in a Group 1 in Germany on his last start. You have to question the opposition he faced that day but the manner in which he did it was quite impressive. Will need to take a step forward again but he’s lightly raced and could be a sneaky contender.
4 (7) Kiseki – Christophe Soumillon/Katsuhiko Sumii 66-1
Japanese raider who is certainly a high-class performer but whether he is up to this level is questionable. Ran okay behind Waldgeist in the Prix Foy when last seen but no immediate reason why he will overturn that form.
5 (4) Blast Onepiece – Yuga Kawada/Masahiro Otake 40-1
Another contender from Japan, he’s not been seen since winning a Grade 2 contest in his home country. Beat fellow Arc challenger Fierement that day and has been saved for this with connections opting to head straight for the Arc without a prep race. Looks to face an uphill task.
6 (2) Fierement – Christophe-Patrice Lemaire/Takahisa Tezuka 33-1
Behind Blast Onepiece last time but is the reigning Tenno Sho champion and that win would put him in with a chance. Could have more improvement left in him and looks the best of the Japanese chances.
7 (11) Nagano Gold – Mickael Barzalona/Vaclav Luka Jr 66-1
8 (9) Enable – Frankie Dettori/John Gosden 4-6
Arc verdict
This really promises to be a belter and the heart says that Enable will win in Paris for a third time and write her name into the history books. She really should win but from a betting point of view there is no value in backing her. Instead it might be best to focus on Jean-Claude Rouget’s Sottsass and also Magical who has so often been the bridesmaid this year behind Enable. Enable will be in the finish, of course, but whether she can give weight to Sottsass is another question. We’ll take a punt on Sottsass coming home first with Enable in second and Aidan O’Brien’s brilliant Magical a close third.
1. SOTTSASS 2. ENABLE 3. MAGICAL
9 (8) Magical – Donnacha O’Brien/Aidan O’Brien 10-1
Brilliantly talented filly who notched up a deserved Group 1 win when landing the Irish Champion Stakes last time out. Already finished second behind Enable twice this season and she’s likely to be following the Queen once again. Massive place claims and should be there or thereabouts.
10 (10) Japan – Ryan Moore/Aidan O’Brien 6-1
Cracking three-year-old who looks a big danger to Enable. Landed a hat-trick of Group wins this year and toughed it out when seeing off Crystal Ocean at York. A return to this longer trip is a bonus and he cannot be underestimated.
11 (6) Soft Light – Yutaka Take/Jean-Claude Rouget 80-1
Only here to make up the numbers. Running in the Arc as the owners have dreamed of having an Arc runner. Actually a useful three-year-old but Rouget is already looking ahead to next year for him. Won’t be risked if not in with a chance and will be nearer last than first.
12 (1) Sottsass – Cristian Demuro/Jean-Claude Rouget 6-1
Sottsass really could be the party pooper. French Derby winner who did very well to win his Arc prep considering he got boxed in on the rail. Only saw daylight late on but cruised to the front. The more you watch that performance, the more impressive it gets. Will be Enable’s biggest challenger.