Sea of Class Puts Herself in Arc Mix

Sea of Class on her way to victory in the Yorkshire Oaks at the Ebor Festival at York

Sea of Class established herself as one of the main contenders for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, following her victory in the Yorkshire Oaks at the Ebor Festival at York, where she justified favouritism to score by just over two lengths.

The daughter of Sea the Stars will be aiming to follow in her father’s footsteps as he claimed the French race in 2009 in a season that saw him score in the 2000 Guineas, Derby, Eclipse Stakes and Juddmonte International in the UK.

William Haggas’ filly only just made her debut on the racecourse back in April and after two successive victories in May, she was stepped up in class when she lined up in the Group One Irish Oaks. Under the hands of her usual pilot James Doyle, she outbattled Forever Together to win by a neck.

The bookmakers made her the 7/4 favourite for the Yorkshire Oaks where she proved her victory in Ireland was no fluke. She was held up at the rear end of the field with 200 metres to go before Doyle asked her to quicken up. The three-year-old found an impressive turn of foot to soon take control of the race and record her fourth consecutive win.

Sea of Class is sure to be a popular selection in the sports betting predictions for the Arc following her win at York. She now 5/1 in the betting for the race after her odds were slashed from 12/1. Fillies have an excellent record in the race at Longchamp, with the previous four winners all being under four years old.

Cracksman Set for First Shot at Arc in October

Last season’s Champions Stakes winner Cracksman is set for his first appearance in the Arc this year where he can be backed at 7/1 to end the season on a high once with a major victory in the racing calendar. 2018 was going so well for John Gosden’s runner as he started the year with victories in the Prix Ganay at Longchamp and the Coronation Cup at Epsom.

The four-year-old went into Royal Ascot on a sequence of five consecutive wins, but he was unable to extend it in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes as he was beaten by Poet’s Word in the 2000-metre contest in June.

Last season’s Champions Stakes winner Cracksman.

Connections opted against running their horse in the Juddmonte International at York, which was won by Roaring Lion and have instead decided to give their runner a rest in the hope he will be fresh for his shot at the leading European contest.

After his victory in the Prix Niel at Chantilly last September, many people expected Cracksman to return to the French track for the Arc in 2017; instead, he appeared on British Champions Day, where he produced a career best to win the Champion Stakes by just over seven lengths.

The 2018 Arc takes places on October 7 and could also feature the defending champion Enable, who has yet to appear so far this season due to a leg injury.

Category: International