Al Riffa the Big Market Mover Ahead of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
When the ante post betting market for the 2024 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe was first published, the bookmakers were expecting City of Troy to capitalise on his outstanding two-year-old season.
But the relative struggles of Aidan O’Brien’s charge this term has seemingly opened the doors to others – including a red-hot French fancy and a four-year-old who gave City of Troy an almighty scare in the Coral-Eclipse back in July.
So can Al Riffa justify his ‘backed in’ status?
International Raider
Those that bet on horse racing could have availed themselves of odds of 50/1 on Al Riffa to win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at the start of the campaign.
The horse race tips may be focusing on the impressive Look De Vega, the Prix Du Jockey Club winner who has been snipped into 11/4 favouritism for the Arc, ahead of City of Troy, who has appeared pedestrian at times in 2024 – albeit while winning two of his three outings.
But the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown was something of a watershed moment, with Al Riffa – giving away some 10lb in weight to City of Troy – staying on to finish just a length behind the 1/4 favourite despite losing his right-fore shoe.
Joseph O’Brien and the Al Riffa syndicate have taken their horse on a magical mystery tour so far in 2024, racing him in England, France, Germany and the United States.
So it’s no wonder that his formline reads like a mixed bag, although after finally getting to run on the firm ground he so craves at Hoppegarten in August, he won the Group 1 Grosser Preis von Berlin in impressive fashion.
Those with a decent memory may also remember Al Riffa’s run-out at Deauville at the end of the 2023 season. Contesting the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano, he finished less than a length behind the winner Ace Impact.
And yes, that’s the same Ace Impact that went on to win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe last year.
From 50/1 to 14/1, money is coming in thick and fast for Al Riffa in the 2024 edition of the Arc… and for good reason.
Looking Good
One of the main challengers to Al Riffa at Longchamp will surely be Look De Vega, although that comes with caveats.
The three-year-old boasts a perfect 3-0 record, with a couple of lower-grade victories on home French soil followed up with that irrepressible win in the Prix du Jockey Club. He looked a million dollars when holding off a strong field, coming under pressure but positively thriving on it to run away by two lengths.
But here’s the rub: all three of Look Da Vega’s wins have come on very soft or heavy ground, so his connections will be hoping for a suitably wet autumn to ensure that their charge gets the going he loves.
If the sun stays out and provides us with an Indian summer, however, then it’s possible that Look Da Vega may not even run in the Arc – a word of caution for punters readily eyeing up the ante post market.