Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe Tips: Selection For Today’s Huge Race

Here we go then, the biggest race in Europe is here: The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe 2024 from Longchamp! It looks to be a race without a real superstar dominating the field and as such should be one of the most open renewals we have seen in years. Billy Grimshaw has run through the contenders and given us his idea of the 1-2-3...

Perhaps it's a cop-out to be providing a 1-2-3 rather than just a singular tip, but I can assure you dear reader there will be no crowing from this humble scribe should either of the horses I've picked for the minor placings claim Longchamp glory. So, let me tell you why I think AL RIFFA is both the best bet and the most likely winner of the 2024 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

He had every right to bolt up in Germany last time out as the odds-on favourite, but there was still loads to like about his five length victory and before that he was best of the rest behind the mighty City Of Troy in the Eclipse. Perhaps the Ballydoyle star wasn't on his absolute A game that day, but running him to within a length was still a mighty effort from Al Riffa and that was an Al Riffa who was running for a yard in not as hot form as they are now. A further feather in his cap is the fact he has been aimed here all season and you know Joseph O'Brien will be bringing him to the boil for this race.

He has a new jockey on board who I won't pretend to be an expert on, however he is seen as the best of the best over in racing mad Japan and as such I don't think he'll let the horse or connections down. Yutaka Take  is having his 11th Arc ride and hopefully this is eleventh time lucky for the Japanese superstar. Al Riffa is a straightforward horse and as such, although he is drawn slightly higher than I'd have wanted in nine (only six of the last 20 winners came from a stall that high or greater in the last 20 years) he should be allowed to find his place in the race and latch onto whoever is setting the pace.

It's tough to know who or what to trust when it comes to French racing and the ground, but presuming things will be on the soft side I think Shin Emperor has an excellent chance for Japan. Considering connections were adamant he was not 100% for his run in the Irish Champion Stakes, he ran a phenomenal prep at Leopardstown behind Los Angeles and I'd imagine with his fitness peaking, settling into Europe better and with extra distance he can reverse that form at the least with Los Angeles. Both have tough draws in 10 and 11 but I'd imagine they'll find a way to get involved despite having to start wider than they'd like.

I think I've mentioned the 1-2-3 there in truth, as although the French horses head the market I'm not as keen on Look De Vega as some other seem to be. I think it's about 50/50 that he stays this far and didn't like a lot about his defeat last time out behind fellow market leader Sosie. I'd rather back Andre Fabre's horse to uphold the form but don't think either are of the level of those bringing over form from Ireland.

Bluestocking is a lovely filly and I would love to see connections rewarded for supplementing her with at least some place money. I don't think she's out of the shakeup for minor honours either and the draw hasn't inconvenienced her, so if you're a big fan of her you will not be dissuaded on these pages from adding her to the punting plan. Both Sunway and - in particular Continuous - were on my shortlist and with better draws could well have snuck into my 1-2-3, however with them drawn 14 and 15 in the car park I can't see them getting into the mix without using up too much energy early doors and then paying for it later. Continuous I expect will run by far his best race of the season, but I'm not sure it'll be enough from 14.