UK Horse Racing Tips

 Japan has come agonisingly close to lifting the coveted Group 1 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on a number of occasions over the years, but none more so than last term when Orfevre was caught in the last couple of strides by the filly Solemia.

Most observers who chose to watch racing online with bet365, felt that the five-year-old was an unlucky loser in Paris last autumn having been drawn wide, running further than anything else in Europe’s most prestigious middle distance contest.

He surged in spectacular fashion into what appeared an unassailable three-length lead inside the final furlong, only to be run down by Solemia – who returned at racing odds of 33/1 – under a power-packed finish from Olivier Peslier. Orfevre then missed out narrowly again on his final start of the term when beaten a nose in the £2.1 million Japan Cup in November.

The impression given by the son of Stay Gold in his recent Arc trial, the Group 2 Qatar Prix Foy at Longchamp in early-September, was that, if anything, he appears an even better horse this term than last. Always travelling powerfully under Christophe Soumillon, the odds-on favourite showed a smart turn of foot to quicken into the lead over a furlong from home before being eased down to beat the very useful Very Nice Name by three lengths.

It came as no surprise to learn that Orfevre’s racing odds of going one better in the Arc this time around were quickly slashed from 6/1 to 7/2 favourite.

On the same Arc trials card, Japanese Derby winner Kizuna furthered raised hopes that his nation might win the Arc when proving a short-head too good for a rejuvenated Ruler Of The World, the Epsom Derby winner coming back after a dismal effort last time out.

Kizuna is generally an 8/1 to win the Longchamp showcase event, while Aidan O’Brien’s Ruler Of The World is a 9/1 chance.

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