One of the most prestigious races in the flat calendar, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is always a real spectacle. This year's renewal looks set to be one of the most competitive in recent times and the ante post market at Betfair is already proving popular with horse racing punters.
The dual Derby winner Australia heads the betting for Ireland at odds of 9/2. Aidan O'Brien's runner was an ultra impressive winner of both the English and Irish Derbies and must have every chance of claiming yet another Group 1 contest this October. Joint favourite with Australia is the 2013 winner Treve. While the horse was a little disappointing when finishing just third behind The Fugue at Royal Ascot, the bookies know exactly what this filly is capable of on home soil and Betfair are taking no chances where Criquette Head-Maarek's charge is concerned.
The Arc is arguably the biggest horse race in Europe and has a purse in excess of €5,000,000. All the top trainers from around the world send their very best horses to compete in this event and is now sponsored by Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club which increased the Arc de Triomphe prize money quite dramatically. It is now the World's third rich flat turf race behind only the behind the Melbourne Cup and the Japan Cup. First run in 1920, the Arc takes place in October every year with the 2014 edition set to be run on Sunday October 5th at Longchamp Racecourse, which is the race's traditional home. The Arc is run over a trip of a mile and a half and is open to horses that are aged three years and upwards.
While Betfair appear to make this year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe largely between Treve and Australia, there are plenty of other runners in the field who can give the market principles something to think about. One such entry is Epsom Derby runner up Kingston Hill who is still very unexposed and has the potential to finish even closer to Australia this time. Roger Varian is likely to give slightly different jockey instructions at Longchamp, as I feel the horse was allowed to hit the front a little too early in the English Derby.
With more patient tactics, Kingston Hill can definitely be involved at the business end of the race. With just under three months to go until the 2014 Arc, there is bound to be changes to the betting market. Stay tuned to betfair.com for all the latest odds on this end of season show piece.
