Brilliant five-year-old Postponed (Dubawi), winner of the recent Gr1 Juddmonte International, has been priced up favourite for the 2016 Gr1 Qatar Prix De L’Arc De Triomphe.

Unbeaten in his last six outings, the Roger Varian trained entire has been quoted a 3-1 shot for October’s mile and half showpiece event by Ladbrokes, Sky Sports, Betfred.Com, and Boyle Sports, with other quotes for the big bay ranging from 7-2 to 9-2.

Winner of his last six on the bounce, Postponed’s tally of nine victories include four at Gr1 level. Victorious in the 2015 Gr1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Postponed’s wins in 2016 include all of the Gr1 Dubai Sheema Classic, Gr1 Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Cup and the above mentioned Juddmonte International Stakes.

Dual Derby winner Harzand, who will be bidding to emulate his sire Sea The Stars (Cape Cross) –who won the Arc back in 2009, is widely quoted as the second favourite for the 2016 Qatar sponsored feature. While a 6-1 chance with several firms, the majority give the 2016 Gr1 Investec Derby winner a 5-1 shot status –although the colt has not raced since running out a workmanlike winner of the Gr1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby.

Six time Gr1 winning filly Minding (Galileo) is seen as likely favourite, with the Aidan O’Brien trained filly quoted as short as 6-1 for the Arc. However, other firms are less confident about the chances of the 2016 Gr1 Investec Oaks winner –betway quoting Minding as a 20-1 shot for the Arc.

Following her win in Tuesday’s G2 Prix De La Nonette Beachcomber Hotels Le Royal Palm Ile Maurice, unbeaten dual French classic winner La Cressonniere (Le Havre) is now an 8-1 quote.
She is shorter in the betting than 2016 Gr1 Prix Du Jockey Club hero Almanzor (Wootton Bassett) –a smart recent winner of the Gr2 Prix Guillaume D’Ornano.

While La Cressonniere has shorted in the betting for the Arc, Gr1 Investec Derby runner up US Army Ranger (Galileo) has drifted out to 25-1 (with Boyle Sports) following his surprise defeat in Sunday’s Gr3 Kilfrush Stud Royal Whip Stakes. However, the blue blooded colt (he is out of Irish Oaks winner Moonstone) is still as short as 10-1 with certain firms.

Other in-form runners for the Arc include last year’s Gr1 Prix Du Jockey Club winner and Arc third New Bay (a good winner of the recent Gr3 Prix Gontaut-Biron Hong Kong Jockey Club), and dual Oaks winner Seventh Heaven (Galileo) –a half sister to KZN Gr1 winning sire Crusade (Mr Greeley).

The Arc De Triomphe, set to be run at Chantilly this year due to construction work taking place at Longchamp, will take place on October 2nd –and, once again, promises to be one of the highlights of the racing calendar!