Horse Racing Round-Up: Ruler takes massive cut in Arc betting

Last year’s Epsom Derby winner Ruler of the World is now firmly in the mix for this year’s Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe after impressively trouncing his rivals in the Prix Foy at Lonchamp.

Available at 33/1 for October’s showpiece before the off on Sunday, the Aidan O’Brien-trained charge is now a 14/1 shot to steal the show again in Paris.

The four-year-old made all in the hands of the Frankie Dettori to secure a first triumph since his memorable Derby success.

And now another tilt at the Arc beckons as O’Brien bids to improve upon a seventh-place finish in 2013’s running.

Elsewhere, last year’s winner Treve could only manage fourth-place in the Prix Vermeille.

Criquette Head-Maarek’s filly is now 10/1 with Ladbrokes to defend her crown, having been a 3/1 market leader before the start of the weekend.

Of course, Ruler of the World wasn’t the only horse hitting the headlines this weekend.

Here’s our round-up of some of the other big racing stories in the news.

What next for Australia?

This year’s comfortable Derby winner was a shock second to The Grey Gatsby in the Irish Champion Stakes at the Curragh and the son of Galileo’s future plans remain unclear.

Aidan O’Brien has pretty much ruled out an Arc assault with either the Champion Stakes or Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot appearing to be the trainer’s preference.

What a weekend for Roger Varian

Roger Varian and Andrea Atzeni certainly had a weekend to remember with the trainer-jockey partnership securing two Group 1 victories.

St Leger hero Kingston Hill was the first to go in on Saturday before Cursory Glance obliged in the Moyglare Stud Stakes yesterday.

Kingston Hill is a 10/1 shot to win the Prix de L’arc de Triomphe although any bid is likely to be hugely weather and ground dependent.

Zarkandar out of the Cesarewitch

Trainer Paul Nicholls has just announced that his Grade One-winning hurdler Zarkandar will miss the upcoming Cesarewitch at Newmarket.

This morning I’ve scratched Zarkandar from the Cesarewitch, he won’t be ready in time. Will head for Wetherby instead

— Paul Nicholls (@PFNicholls) September 15, 2014

Pallasator and Quick Jack are currently the two market principals, both available at odds of 10/1 with Angel Gabrial, Flying Officer, Mubaraza and Ray Ward the next best, each priced up at 14/1.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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