Is it a case of how far for Treve in historic third Arc pursuit?

No horse has ever won three Prix de L’Arc de Triomphes, but in 2015 it looks as if it will be a case of how far Treve wins by to complete that feat, rather than whether she will do it at all.

Criquette Head-Maarek’s wonder mare continued her flawless preparation to do what no horse has done before in a style that will have many reflecting back to her first success in the big one in 2013.

Lining up in the Prix Vermeille, it was set to be the biggest test the daughter of Motivator had faced this season, meeting Golden Horn’s Juddmonte International conqueror Arabian Queen, Yorkshire Oaks third Sea Calisi and dual course and distance winner Candarliya.

In truth though, Treve treated them all with disdain, showing an electric turn of foot that is showing no signs of dulling as she gets older.

She quickly put 4½  lengths between herself and the chasing pack, under a hands and heels ride from Thierry Jarnet, putting the race to bed in some style.

The reaction from the bookmakers was instantaneous, Ladbrokes shortening her for a never before seen hat-trick from 2/1 into Evens.

Here three runs this season are a far cry from the laboured efforts in the early parts of 2014 that allowed her to go off at 11/1 as defending champion at Longchamp.

With a trio of bloodless victories to get her prepared for the big one, it’s hard to see anything living with her in Paris.

Had she not run on Sunday, we would all have been talking about the emerging challengers to her crown, with three charges previously looking to enhance their claims.

Firstly Golden Horn saw his odds clipped from 10/1 to 7/1, after grinding out victory in the Irish Champion Stakes, despite a wild swerve to his right in the closing stages.

Trainer John Gosden suggested that the Arc was still the plan, as long as the ground didn’t come up soft.

Meanwhile at the venue of the big one, Trials Days saw New Bay coast home to land the Prix Niel under Vincent Cheminaud.

With the three-year-old allowance also helping his claims for the race in three weeks time, he remains the closest danger to Treve at 4/1 (from 8/1).

Those looking for a bigger priced each-way play could do far worse than Luca Cumani’s Postponed on Sunday’s efforts.

He remains unchanged at 20/1 despite showing that his King George success was no fluke as he stuck to the task gamely to land the Prix Foy on rain-softened ground.

He could go well in the French capital again, but as far as the top-spot goes, it looks like history will be made on the continent on October 4.

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

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