Brametot given Arc aim as Enable challenges for Chantilly favouritism

The ante-post market for Europe's most valuable and prestigious middle-distance showdown sprang into life on Sunday, with layers reporting support for Irish Oaks heroine Enable, while dual Classic winner Brametot was confirmed on course for the Arc and the Qipco Irish Champion Stakes.

Bet365 go 6-1 each of three with Almanzor – who is yet to reappear this season – joining Brametot and Enable at the head of their Arc market.

August 15 will be a key date in Jean-Claude Rouget's diary planner to a potential first Arc success, with Brametot revealed to be a likely starter in the Group 2 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano, while Almanzor is due to run on the same card in the Group 3 Prix Gontaut-Biron.

Al Shaqab are the majority shareholders in Brametot, in whom they share ownership with Gerard Augustin-Normand.

Speaking on Sunday at Maisons-Laffitte, Al Shaqab racing manager Harry Herbert said: "Having spoken with Jean-Claude the plan for Brametot is to make his comeback in the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano at Deauville before going to the Irish Champion Stakes and the Arc."

Herbert also gave an update on targets for three more of Sheikh Joaan Al Thani's most prominent horses in Rouget's care.

"He's also looking at the Arlington Million for Mekhtaal, which is exciting," said Herbert.

"In terms of races already spoken of, Qemah is on course for the Prix Rothschild while Zelzal goes to the Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood."

Enable was cut to a general 7-1 chance for the Arc immediately after crushing her rivals at the Curragh on Saturday evening but even that price came under pressure on Sunday, when Boylesports made her 5-1 clear favourite while easing Almanzor a point to 6-1.

Money talking: Enable (pictured) has been slashed for the Arc, although she still needs to be supplemented for the raceCredit: Patrick McCann

BetBright, Paddy Power and Betfair Sportsbook all joined bet365 and BoyleSports in trimming Enable to 6-1 – though punters should note that Enable is not entered at Chantilly on October 1 and would need to be supplemented for the Qatar-backed Arc at a cost of €120,000.

Frankie Dettori is enthused about her chances wherever she goes next, with neither John Gosden nor Khalid Abdullah's racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe having ruled out the Qipco-sponsored King George a week on Saturday, despite the filly picking up a nick on the outside of her off-fore in adding the Irish Oaks to her victory at Epsom.

Dettori said at Maisons-Laffitte on Sunday: "It was an almighty performance yesterday. She was very impressive and I think she was better than at Epsom."

Irish Derby runner-up Cracksman is in a similar position to stablemate Enable in that he is prominent in the betting for a major autumn race for which he would have to be supplemented, in his case the William Hill St Leger, for which he is joint-favourite at 4-1 with the race sponsor.

Cracksman (red cap): could miss the St Leger before a four-year-old campaignCredit: Edward Whitaker

Ante-post punters should note, however, that the Betway Great Voltigeur Stakes at York next month could be Cracksman's final run of the campaign.

Gosden said on Saturday evening: "I think we'll go to the Voltigeur and quite frankly we might just say that's it for the year. I feel he's a work in progress, he's still an immature horse, but he could make a stunning four-year-old."