Orfevre 7/2 Arc favourite after impressive Longchamp run
Published:With the Longchamp showpiece drawing ever nearer, Arc Trials Day at the Paris track certainly meant there were a number of movers and shakers in the market for the big race, with new 7/2 favourite Orfevre stealing the show.
Prix Niel
Andre Fabre’s Flintshire occupied the head of Ladbrokes Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe market before this race, having only been beaten by one horse in four races. It turned into a fierce two-way duel, but the Khalid Abdulla-owned three-year-old was not involved. Instead, after travelling strongly throughout, he faded to finish fourth, seeing his price for the big one go from 5/1 out to 12/1.
The first and second spot were filled by Kizuna and Ruler of the World. The former, thought to be Japan’s second string behind Orfevre, battled strongly to deny the Derby winner by a short head. This not only proved Yutaka Take’s mount is a live contender (now 8/1 from 14/1), but also showed that Ruler Of The World’s poor Irish Derby run can probably be discounted. Aidan O’Brien’s colt was introduced to the market at a very appealing 10/1.
Prix Vermeille
Treve was an exciting prospect as the day’s racing got underway on Sunday, and shot her way to second favourite in the market with a electric turn of foot to land the Group 1 Prix Vermeille. She was shortened from 6/1 to 4/1 after seeing off a field including the likes of consistent older mare Wild Coco and Yorkshire Oaks runner up Venus De Milo with relative ease.
The onus will now be on owner Sheikh Joann to pay the €100,000 supplement to allow the daughter of Motivator to take her chance on October 6th.
Prix Foy
After jinking right in the closing stages in last year’s Arc, Orfevre was just denied a first Japanese win in the big race by Solemia. And this year, he looks primed to deliver a run just as good.
With last year’s Guineas and Derby winner Camelot a non-runner due to the ground, his task was perhaps not as tough as it could be. But no matter what kind of field he was beating, you couldn’t help but be impressed by the way the five-year-old quickened away to win by an eased-down three lengths, and propel himself to the top of the market at 7/2 from 7/1.
All odds and markets correct as of the date of publishing
