Nathaniel’s problems makes Meandre the best Arc bet

The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe has seen its fair share of three-year-old winners in recent years and with Nathaniel a big doubt to run at Longchamp, it could be left to Meandre to fly the flag for the age group.

Nathaniel remains 11/2 to win the Arc despite trainer John Gosden suggesting that the horse may be pulled out of the Group One showpiece because of the predicted weather forecast.

This year’s King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner will require soft ground at Longchamp, but there is every chance that the surface will race far quicker because of a lack of rain in Paris.

Nine of the last 12 Arc winners have been three year olds and have benefited from the 8lb weight pull against their elders, including each of the last three.

Therefore, it may pay to side with Meandre in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe odds in what looks one of the most open renewals in recent years.

No trainer has produced more than the seven Arc winners sent to Longchamp by Andre Fabre and he is confident of the chances of Meandre.

Meandre has some solid form in common with Fabre’s last Arc winner Rail Link in 2006 and also fits in nicely with some of the other trends relating to the 1m4f contest.

Not only has Meandre already won a Group One already this season when landing the Grand Prix De Paris in July, but Meandre has good experience of Longchamp with all of his last three races being run at the course.

He should additionally be well suited to the bigger field likely in the Arc.

Meandre is 14/1 to win the Arc and at worst looks fine each-way value.