2019 Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe
Enable is a strong favourite to win her third consecutive race and with just 11 runners taking her on she looks to have an easier task than in her previous 2 victories. She has won her last 12 races and although she hasn’t been as impressive in recent races as she was as a 3-year-old she keeps winning. She is a best priced 4/5 which looks to be a fair price considering her record.
It’s hard to see Magical or Waldgeist turning around their form against Enable having been beaten by her in several races over the last three years. Ghaiyyath has turned in some monster performances this season, but was swept aside easily by Waldgeist in the Prix Ganay, he likes to dictate and it’s hard to see him getting an easy time upfront.
The French 3-year-old Sottsass is facing older horses for the first time but he does look like he could be up to the task. Sottsass, this year’s Prix du Jockey Club winner was an unfancied 13/1 shot for that race behind Persian King. As that race unfolded it looked like Persian King would cement his dominance as the top 3-year-old in Europe as he took up the running going in to the final furlong, only for Sottsass to sweep by. The field was well strung out and although those in behind haven’t really franked the form he does have a devastating turn of foot that could be telling if he can keep a decent position in the race.
French King has been keeping a low profile despite winning all four races this year, firstly in Doha, before taking three races in Germany, his final race a group one event. His previous form in France leaves him with a mountain to climb, but his trainer Henri-Alex Pantall looks to have brought him a long steadily and looks a lot better horse than he was. Though he still looks unlikely to be good enough to win, a place is possible if he carries over his overseas improvement back on home soil.
There are three Japanese runners this year in Fierement, Blast Onepiece and Kiseki. Fierement and Blast Onepiece have been based in Newmarket and will make their European debut in the race after a seven week lay-off. Kiseki ran in the Prix Foy over course and distance, finishing a tame 3 lengths behind Waldgeist. His chances have been written-off after his poor showing in that trial race, but that was after a 12 week lay-off and he should be more competitive with race fitness and track experience. Christophe Soumillon is a great asset and with the horse’s proven ability on soft ground, being a winner of the Japanese Leger on testing ground, he should handle the ground conditions which should be on the soft side. He looks the best of Japanese runners despite being the outsider; he could run in to a place at 100/1.
Recommended bets
Sottsass, 8.40, Betfair Exchange
Kiseki, 100/1 eachway, Bet365
