Sarafina is favourite with Victor Chandler to be market leader come the off
PICTURE: APRH
A FRENCH victory in Sunday's Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triompheis an 8-11 shot with William Hill, while the country's principal hope Sarafina emerged as clear favourite with Victor Chandler to start market leader come the off.
Sarafina on Thursday night held sway as favourite from So You Think, with bookmakers generally quoting her a point shorter than the Aidan O'Brien-trained superstar.
The other leading hopes of a home-trained Arc winner are 7-1 shot Galikova, of whom trainer Freddy Head and jockey Olivier Peslier are very hopeful, and Meandre, who was supplemented for €100,000 and is around 10-1.Hills make Britain 100-30 to provide the winner, Ireland 7-2, Japan12s and Germany, through Danedream, 20-1.
Coral are the only firm who cannot split Sarafina and So You Think - they go 7-2 the pair.
Having priced a 'who will start industry favourite?' market on Wednesday, VC altered their prices on Thursday. So You Think drifted to 11-8 (from 5-4) to start favourite with the firm, who also eased Workforce to 11-2 (from 9-2).
They shortened 'any other runner' - effectively Galikova - to 5-1 (from 7).
VC spokesman Charlie McCann said: "Sir Michael Stoute has expressed concerns about the likelihood of fast ground for last year's Arc winner Workforce and punters have backed any other runner to 5s from 7s and last year's third Sarafina in the market who will go off favourite for Sunday's Arc."
Watering was taking place at Longchamp on Thursday night amid fears the ground may be too quick for Workforce to bid for a second straight Arc victory.
The track was good to soft Thursday morning but temperatures reached 29C in Paris, with an average of 5mm of water being applied.
The aim is to provide good ground for Saturday, while the rail will be moved out by 20m in the home straight to preserve fresh ground for Sunday.
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