Enable heads the betting for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
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Enable looks set to go off as favourite for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.
Europe’s most prestigious horse race returns to the track after two years at Chantilly, with John Gosden’s stable star pencilled in as the short-price favourite.
Who will come out on top in the 1m 4f contest? We run the rule over Sunday’s runners and riders.
Wonder-filly Enable is the long-time favourite to retain her crown after returning from injury to comfortably defeat Crystal Ocean in the September Stakes.
She bolted up at Chantilly 12 months ago and confirmed her return from a layoff in spectacular style at Kempton last month.
Her main rival is Sea Of Class, after the filly was supplemented earlier in the week.
William Haggas’ runner has won both the Irish and Yorkshire Oaks this term. She receives weight all-round in the Arc she she bids for an impressive five-timer.
The French don’t have many darts to throw in their home race, so it’s down to Andre Fabre’s Waldgeist to put in a strong performance.
The Galileo colt landed the Prix Foy last time out and is the home crowd’s most likely chance as Fabre bids for a first win in the race since 2006.
Kew Gardens further enhanced his middle distance credentials with victory in the St Leger. A drop to 1m 4f isn’t ideal given his recent tribulations over the distance.
Aidan O’Brien’s main hopeful was pushed all the way by Lah Ti Dar at Doncaster. Questions remain over whether this may be one race too far after that courageous effort.
The trainer also runs Capri, who makes interesting place claims despite finishing last-but-one in the Arc 12 months ago.
That run came just a fortnight on from a gutsy St Leger win, while his fifth last time out in the Foy looks a nice piece of prep from the trainer.
Cloth Of Stars was third in the same race and will go again after finishing runner-up to Enable a year ago.
The rest of the field are all priced up at 25/1 or longer, with Talismanic looking the pick of the bunch.
Another for Fabre, the five-year-old tasted success in the Breeders’ Cup last year and finished runner-up in the Foy last time out.
This distance could be slightly beyond him now, but he could still make for an interesting each-way poke.
Lightly raced colt Neufbosc will hope to come on from a disappointing showing in the Prix Niel, while Patascoy and Study Of Man are unexposed over the distance.
Both require a significant step up in performance if they’re to manage the trip.
Elsewhere, Clincher, Magical, Hunting Horn and Defoe have all yet to win in Group 1 company.
The latter finished runner-up to Best Solution in Baden-Baden last time out and has run well each time this term.
Salouen, Louis D’Or, Tiberian, Way To Paris and pacemaker Nelson make up the rest of the field.
Click here for our Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe odds.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
