Rain for the Arc?
DiscreetCat
Moderator
Aidan O'Brien's Arc hopefuls Duke Of Marmalade and Soldier Of Fortune could be about to change positions in the market ahead of Sunday's big race.
Ante-post betting has suggested for weeks that 'The Duke' would be Ballydoyle's main hope for the showpiece race of the Flat season.
However, the threat of heavy rain hitting Longchamp in the next few days could well mean Soldier Of Fortune goes off at the shorter price, according to Coral.
The Barking-based firm have pushed out Duke Of Maramalde from 3/1 to 4/1 on Thursday, with his stablemate, who prefers the softer conditions, into 9/2 from 11/2. William Hill made a similar move.
Former Ballydoyle stable jockey Kieren Fallon also said that of the two horses, he would prefer to be on Soldier Of Fortune, fifth in last year's Arc.
Fallon told attheraces: "He's a year older now, and the ground was against him last year.
"This time he's been trained for the race, kept fresh and I think this could be his year. I wouldn't look beyond him if they have a drop of rain.
"Zarkava would have a big chance in the fillies' race on the same day, but taking on the boys, taking on Soldier Of Fortune, it'll be tough for her."
Coral's Simon Clare said: "The weather forecasts suggest Longchamp will be hit with some serious rainfall over the next three days, and if the ground comes up soft or heavy Soldier of Fortune will almost certainly replace Duke of Marmalade as second favourite for the Arc."
Zarkava is the favourite across the board at present.
Ante-post betting has suggested for weeks that 'The Duke' would be Ballydoyle's main hope for the showpiece race of the Flat season.
However, the threat of heavy rain hitting Longchamp in the next few days could well mean Soldier Of Fortune goes off at the shorter price, according to Coral.
The Barking-based firm have pushed out Duke Of Maramalde from 3/1 to 4/1 on Thursday, with his stablemate, who prefers the softer conditions, into 9/2 from 11/2. William Hill made a similar move.
Former Ballydoyle stable jockey Kieren Fallon also said that of the two horses, he would prefer to be on Soldier Of Fortune, fifth in last year's Arc.
Fallon told attheraces: "He's a year older now, and the ground was against him last year.
"This time he's been trained for the race, kept fresh and I think this could be his year. I wouldn't look beyond him if they have a drop of rain.
"Zarkava would have a big chance in the fillies' race on the same day, but taking on the boys, taking on Soldier Of Fortune, it'll be tough for her."
Coral's Simon Clare said: "The weather forecasts suggest Longchamp will be hit with some serious rainfall over the next three days, and if the ground comes up soft or heavy Soldier of Fortune will almost certainly replace Duke of Marmalade as second favourite for the Arc."
Zarkava is the favourite across the board at present.