Stars set to start odds-on for Arc

SEA THE STARS is set to be an odds-on favourite for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe if ground conditions allow the season’s outstanding performer line up at Longchamp in 17 days.

John Oxx’s five-time Group One winner is a best-priced 6 to 4 shot, but bookmakers believe he will start the shortest priced Arc favourite for years – if he lines up.

“If he runs it will be because the ground is decent, and if that’s the case then I think it’s safe to assume he will be a 4 to 6 or even a 4 to 7 shot,” a Paddy Power spokesman said yesterday.

“It’s hard to estimate what he might be on the French Tote, but when you look at what else is around it’s hard to be impressed by them. Cavalryman has to be respected because he represents Andre Fabre, but he wasn’t impressive in his Arc Trial and Sea The Stars has already beaten most of the others,” he added.

The Irish superstar is already a 4 to 5 shot “with a run” with some firms in Britain, and VC Bet have introduced a “betting without” market on the Arc with Aidan O’Brien’s Fame And Glory a 100 to 30 favourite to win or finish second to Sea The Stars.

Fame And Glory has finished runner-up to his rival in the Epsom Derby and the Irish Champion Stakes this year, but O’Brien said: “The Arc remains the plan with him and it’s so far so good.”

The King George winner Conduit, third to Sea The Stars in the Eclipse, is a 5 to 1 shot with VC in their betting without market.

Arc day is also the target for Dermot Weld’s Blandford Stakes winner Chinese White, who will line up in the Group One Prix de l’Opera.

“If she is lucky enough to win the Opera, then we might consider the Breeders’ Cup filly and mare turf. She’s class,” said James Kelly, racing manager to Chinese White’s owner, Lady O’Reilly.

“She is now fulfilling all the promise we thought she had 12 months ago, and if ever a filly deserves a Group One it’s Chinese White. She has won on all types of ground so we don’t have to worry about that.

“I hope all the best fillies line up in the Opera because that’s what racing needs. I hope Dar Re Mi goes in the Opera rather than the Arc, as I’ve always felt we would have too much toe for her in the last 100 yards.

“Dar Re Mi beat our other filly, Beach Bunny, by a short head in the Pretty Polly and Chinese White would murder Beach Bunny,” he added.

The unbeaten Irish two-year-old Arctic will miss this Saturday’s Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury and will instead be supplemented into the Group One Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket on October 2nd.

“He’s by Shamardal but he’s got plenty of speed,” said Arctic’s trainer, Tracey Collins.

“That’s the great thing about him. He has gears and he’s relaxed, which is half the battle with a two-year-old.

“Hopefully he will develop into a Guineas horse. There’s no reason why he shouldn’t. He’s a raw horse and still developing,” she added.