- St Leger winner to be entered for the Arc
- O’Brien states Continuous has form on all ground
- History would be made with victory in Paris
Trainer Aidan O’Brien has revealed that St Leger Stakes winner Continuous will be making a late entry into the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. This decision comes after the son of Heart’s Cry, after a slow start to the year with three consecutive losses, exhibited a remarkable surge in performance during the latter half of the season. He secured a notable victory in the Great Voltigeur at York and clinched the final Classic of the season at Doncaster.
Continuous set to be supplemented for €120,000
Although Continuous was not initially entered in the Arc, O’Brien hinted at the possibility of supplementing the three-year-old for a fee of €120,000 immediately after his triumph at Doncaster. It now appears that O’Brien is actively preparing to include him in the prestigious race, with the confirmation expected on Wednesday.
When questioned about his Arc plans, O’Brien stated, “It’s all about Continuous I’d say. Everything looks good with him at the moment and if it is good up until Wednesday, he’ll probably be supplemented by the sound of what the lads are saying. Fast or heavy ground, it doesn’t matter to him – he has form on all ground.”
O’Brien has affirmed that Continuous will be his sole contender in this year’s Arc. Nevertheless, he is poised to have a strong presence in the supporting races at ParisLongchamp.
He elaborated, “Emily Dickinson will go to the Cadran. Unquestionable, who reared up in the stalls here last time, will go for the two-year-old race over seven (Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere) and something might go with him. Opera Singer will go to the fillies’ race (Prix Marcel Boussac). Jackie Oh, who was second to Joseph’s filly (Lumiere Rock) here last time, will go to the Prix de l’Opera. Kyprios won’t go, it will be too quick for him and we’ll give him time and go back to Ascot.”
The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe will take place on Sunday October 1. No horse has won the St Leger and the Arc in the same season.
Betting Implications
Ace Impact is the ante-post favourite ahead of Hukum. Continuous is third favourite with most bookies, though given the St Leger/Arc double has never been done before, a win for O’Brien’s horse in Paris would make history.
At the time of writing, Coral have Continuous at 6/1 behind Ace Impact, 3/1 and Hukam, 9/2. In another interesting development, Frankie Detorri, in his final season, now looks set to ride Free Wind, instead of Emily Upjohn. This has seen Free Wind’s odds come down and Emily Upjohn’s lengthen.
Odds are correct at the time of writing and are subject to change.
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Check out the latest info on this year’s Arc with Betting.com.
