Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe Tips 2023: Back this outsider to cause a shock at Longchamp
We are set for one of the most wide open renewals of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in recent times and all eyes will veer to Longchamp on Sunday afternoon for an epic renewal of Europe's most prestigious all-age middle distance Flat race. Here at Horseracing.net, we are hotly-anticipating an epic renewal in the French capital of Paris and our man Steve Chambers previews the race here and has a big-priced selection for the Group 1 prize...
Only one horse will line up in Sunday's Arc with a 100% record on the track and that will be Jean-Claude Rouget's Ace Impact, who is the current market leader and the spearhead of the French challenge for Arc glory. A stunning three-and-a-half length winner of the Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly back in June, the three-year-old son of Cracksman then went and claimed an impressive Group 2 victory at Deauville on his last outing. Undoubtedly, a real class act, Ace Impact is the one they all have to beat according to the bookmakers and being a three-year-old he will receive weight from his older rivals, but there are some really talented rivals taking him on and he could be a little short to back in this fascinating 2023 renewal.
Owen Burrows and Ralph Beckett will be two of the leading British trainers attempting to win their first Arc crown and they will saddle the one-two in the King George, Hukum and Westover, who are prominent figures in the betting. Both served up a thrilling finish to the Group 1 at Ascot and have to be respected here, but both may just lack that real star quality needed to win this event and while they will both run solid races it's hard to see them getting their head in front.
Aidan O'Brien has trained two Arc winners during his illustrious career, but he will be bidding for a third victory in the event and Continuous will be flying the flag for Ballydoyle. Only seen a couple of weeks ago storming to victory in the St Leger at Doncaster, this proven stayer has been supplemented by the owners for this event and he adds huge intrigue. A real cut above his rivals on Town Moor to take the final Classic of the season, it's going to be a tough ask to deliver goods here after such a short break, so while he's obviously still improving he could just lack that bit of pace need to win this contest.
Sir Michael Stoute will add more depth to the British charge and the Freemason Lodge handler will saddle Bay Bridge, who failed to fire when down the field in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot, but stormed back into the limelight when romping to victory in the Group 3 September Stakes at Kempton Park. Whilst that would've been a confidence booster, a return to the grass at a much higher level should see Bay Bridge be put firmly in his place.
Pascal Bary's Feed The Flame could appeal to a host of each-way punters as a fine winner of the Grand Prix de Paris back in July, the son of Kingman then chased home Fantastic Moon in the Prix Niel back in September and that pair are set to do battle once again. Fantastic Moon is another to be supplemented and with the pair both available at double-figured odds they could well play a notable role in proceedings.
Japan often have some big names lining up in the Arc and this year they will rely on Tomohito Ozeki's Through Seven Seas, who was last seen chasing home the mighty Equinox in a Group 1 at Hanshin. Sadly, Equinox has not made the line-up, but Ozeki's charge was only beaten a neck that day, so providing he can deal with the travelling then he has to make the shortlist.
With it being such a competitive betting heat there could be some value further down the list and the one that stands out is ONESTO, who lines up in the race for the second time in his career. Relatively well fancied in this race 12 months ago, Fabrice Chappet's four-year-old could only finish 10th of 20 and he's struggled a little bit of late. Fourth in the Prix Jacques Le Marois on his comeback run in August, he was then sent to Leopardstown for the Irish Champion Stakes earlier this month, but he failed to lay a glove on his rivals and finished seventh of eight. But, he showed when winning last year's Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp that on his day he is a real top notch performer and if he can bounce back to form here then has to be hugely over-priced.
He is one that won't want too much rain to fall, but if Onesto can improve significantly on his two runs this season then he's more than capable of grabbing a place and with four places available in the each-way markets with some bookmakers then he could be the value play.
