Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe Preview

[Wandering Eyes]

Australia may have the “the race that stops the nation” in the Melbourne Cup but the “Arc” is the race that stops Europe! The race was first run in 1920 and is now the richest turf race in Europe and is run at Longchamp over the 1-mile four-furlong trip. It’s the defining race in many horses careers down through the years, with some equine greats on the honours roll. Chief among these names are Mill Reef (1971), Urban Sea (1993), Montjeu (1999) and Treve (2013 & 2014).

Top of the list to add their name to this illustrious list for the second consecutive season is Enable. John Gosden’s stable star was a snug winner of this last season from Cloth Of Stars who re-opposes here.

Every racing fan felt a combination of relief and joy seeing this fantastic filly skip clear of her rivals, primarily the high-class Crystal Ocean in the September Stakes at Kempton last month. She was a good winner of the race last year and she ought to have improved considering her imposing frame and the way she strengthened up since last years success.

Obviously, the issues with her knees will continue to be a worry but if John Gosden has her spot on for this, then there is no reason she won’t land back to back Arcs. If she does achieve this amazing feat then RaceBets will give money back on all losers, check out this offer here.

Another filly that will be top of many punters list’s will be the William Haggas trained Sea Of Class who’s unbeaten in her last four starts. She has shown an incredible upward curve in her illustrious if brief career. The daughter of Sea The Stars scored an Oaks double in recent months taking in the Irish Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks.

This will be the first time Sea Of Class races against the boys and oh what a baptism of fire it will be. The Arc has been won by fillies on four of the last five years which proves it can easily be done but perhaps she may not have the class to beat Enable.

The main hope for the home contingent is Waldgeist, who has had a fantastic season winning his last five starts. Pierre Charles Boudot who has partnered Waldgeist in all bar one of his starts said in a recent interview with RaceBets:

“He had the perfect prep race for the Arc, in my opinion. The horse showed he has everything’s that’s needed for the Arc and he has twice won over course and distance. I am confident he will show his best in the race.”

It must be a concern that the son of Galileo’s best form has come with an ease in the ground, which he won’t get at Longchamp. He looks sure to run well but he may well come up short against some classier rivals.

Aidan O’Brien’s best chance of victory is Kew Gardens who was a course and distance winner this season in the Grand Prix de Paris and most recently was an impressive winner of the St Leger at Doncaster. Three-year-olds have a fantastic record in the race and Kew Gardens looks like the most solid each-way option in the race but the exertions of winning a St Leger en-route to the Arc has proved too much for some of Aidan’s previous hopes such as Leading Light, Scorpion and Capri.

Of the bigger priced runners I like the look of Magical who is only running over a trip longer than a mile for the second time. She has won her only run at the 1 mile 1-furlong trip once in a Group 2 at the Curragh where she beat I’m So Fancy and if she improves again for the extra 3-furlong trip then she may just be the surprise package at 40/1.

Selection: Kew Gardens

Don’t forget RaceBets are giving money back if Enable wins, make sure to avail of this fantastic offer.

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