Arguably the most coveted race in the world, the 102nd edition of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe will be run on Sunday 1 October and, delving into the list of possible runners, this edition looks particularly interesting.
On the French side, Ace Impact is unbeaten in five starts and most recently ran out an easy winner of the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano. Unsurprisingly, he is currently 7/2 favourite with the bookmakers. Feed The Flame, was unexpectedly beaten on his re-entry in the Prix Niel earlier this month but Pascal Bary will not have been too disappointed. His colt’s good turn of foot and excellent aptitude over the distance will have contributed to his current price of 9/1.
If the ground is not too soft, Simca Mille will run; he has done everything asked of him this season and most recently opened his Gr.1 account. At 20/1, he must be considered competitive. Another decent local hope, Place Du Carrousel has made excellent progress this term, and beating the good Iresine in the recent Prix Foy will not have gone unnoticed.
Separated by just a head in the King George last July, Hukum and Westover are the most attractive of the foreign propositions. Both tough and talented, they represent realistic chances even though Shadwell’s 6yo is at 11/2, while Ralph Beckett’s colt is at 10/1.
Imperial in the Saint-Leger last weekend, Continuous is expected to be supplemented at a cost of €120,000 and, although connections have yet to reach a decision, his 8/1 odds are difficult to ignore.
Should she run, Coronation Cup winner, Emily Upjohn, could be Frankie Dettori’s final Arc ride. Japanese mare, Through Seven Seas, has already arrived in France but is still regarded as something of an outsider.
