The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is always one of the most exciting races on the Flat calendar.
Held again this year at Chantilly, as renovation work continues at Longchamp, the question to ask is can anything beat Enable? Well, from a punting perspective it is worth investigating her claims.
Firstly, Enable brings the best form in to the race after notching up five wins in a row, four of which were Group 1 victories. She has also won on a variety of ground and on left-handed and right-handed courses. Her wins this season have been over the same trip as the Arc, her trainer John Gosden is in hot form and she is ridden by the outstanding Frankie Dettori.
I started looking at this race with a desire to take her on, wanting to find a chink in the armour, but considering she also receives allowances for being a filly and based on her age, she looks to have an outstanding chance if she runs to her best.
Let’s consider who could spoil the party for Enable.
Ulysses doesn’t have to give away as much weight to Enable as he did in the King George, but he still has a bit to find on that basis. He ran a blinder in the Juddmonte International since then, so he has to be a major player in the Arc.
Satono Diamond was a very good horse on firm ground in Japan, but disappointed on softer conditions in the Prix Foy. He shouldn’t be totally ruled out but others have stronger claims. The winner of that race Dschingis Secret is on a winning run this season, but has more to find against this opposition.
Brametot won the French versions of the Guineas and the Derby and the market has underestimated his chances. I’m sure a few value seekers may be looking at the 16/1 and having an each-way stab.
Here is how you beat Enable. Tactics. She is likely to be somewhere near the front of the action from the start, so if I was trying to beat her, I’d test her stamina.
Aidan O’Brien has five in the field, with Capri and Order of St George particularly likely to be suited by a test of stamina – if they go a decent clip, there’s a chance they could get involved. Ryan Moore rides Winter, but while she is a very talented filly, the trip is a bit of a question mark.
Brametot, Capri and Order of St George are my idea of the horses who can follow Enable home.
Perhaps if John Gosden’s filly isn’t on song, they could even steal the show. But, ready yourself for a Frankie flying dismount as Enable will take a world of beating.
We get the view from the Bookmakers from WilliamHill
Enable has drifted to Evens from 10/11 after a quiet day, with both Ulysses & Winter popular at 8/1.
“Enable has been weak and the Arc is now a cracking race for each way punters,” said William Hill spokesman Rupert Adams.
“Surprising both Capri & Zarak have both been friendless.”
3.05 Chantilly – Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe – 1st Oct 2017:
Evens Enable, 8/1 Winter, 8/1 Ulysses, 10/1 Order Of St George, 14/1 from 12/1 Dschingis Secret, 16/1 Brametot, 18/1 Capri, 25/1 Zarak, 28/1 Cloth Of Stars, 33/1 Idaho, 33/1 Satono Diamond, 40/1 Seventh Heaven, 66/1 Silverwave, 66/1 Plumatic, 80/1 Iquitos, 100/1 One Foot In Heaven, 100/1 Doha Dream, 200/1 Satono Noblesse