One of Europe's premier Flat races takes place in Paris on Sunday afternoon (15:05) and the Racing Post's Enda McElhinney has previewed the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and picked two selections worth looking out for at Longchamp.
- Three of the last six Arc winners were trained in France
- Aidan O'Brien last trained the winner of the race in 2016
- Recommended bet: Gezora to win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is one of the proper jewels in the European racing crown and all eyes will be focused on Longchamp this weekend.
A strong field of 18 runners were declared for the Arc, with three from Britain, four from Ireland and three from Japan joining the eight-strong home squad in the bid to land this most illustrious prize.
Our racing expert has picked a NAP and Next Best selection for the Longchamp contest, which goes to post at 15:05 on Sunday afternoon.
The latest Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe odds are available on LiveScore Bet
There are lots of leading hopes for France in the Arc, with Aventure towards the front of the market for trainer Christophe Ferland.
The Sea The Stars filly won the Prix Vermeille over course and distance last month on soft ground and returns to Paris with a strong claim for further glory.
Behind her in second last time was Gezora for Francis-Henri Graffard, and at more than three times the price now, the daughter of Almanzor could be capable of reversing the form.
The filly won at Longchamp and Chantilly in the early summer, latterly taking the Group 1 Prix de Diane, and was back from a break in that run here last month – her first time tackling this trip.
She was ridden quite conservatively early on but really finished well, more than matching the winner in the final half-mile and, as prep runs go, it was laced with promise.
Tom Marquand has the nod to partner Gezora in the Arc and they look set for a big run.
Next Best: White Birch each-way @ 22/1
The latest Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Winner of the Epsom and Irish Oaks this summer, as well as the Yorkshire version in August, Minnie Hauk was supplemented into this race by Aidan O'Brien this week.
She's soon gone to the head of the betting and her claims are outstanding.
But one that might be worth considering at chunky odds is fellow Irish raider White Birch, for Joseph Murphy's stable.
The five-year-old isn't far off the best of these on his best form. He was denied a neck by Los Angeles on his comeback from a year off at the Curragh over 1m2f in May and has run solid races twice since in Group 1s in Ireland.
He goes back up to this trip for the first time since 2023 and, more importantly, the rainfall means he's likely to get the soft ground on which he has demonstrated his best form.
The Ulysses colt doesn't have major miles on the clock for his age and if he hits top stride in optimal conditions, he looks overpriced to make the frame.
The latest Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe odds are available on LiveScore Bet
