Bookmakers prepare for big payouts if raiders triumph on 'busiest Arc day ever'

Bookmakers are bracing themselves for potentially their busiest Arc day, with British superstar raiders Enable and Battaash likely to attract the lion’s share of business.

Enable, who bids for a record-breaking third consecutive win in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe under punters’ pal Frankie Dettori, is generally an 8-11 or 4-6 shot to make history on Sunday, while brilliant sprinter Battaash, trained by Charlie Hills, is 4-5 favourite for the Prix de l’Abbaye Longines, one of the chief support races on the Longchamp card.

Bookies fear the Enable-Battaash double, which pays just over 2-1 at current odds, and is sure to prove extremely popular over the weekend.

Paul Binfield, spokesman for Paddy Power, said: “It promises to be a cracking betting day. Enable is already a significant six-figure loser for us – we’ve taken plenty of big bets on her over the last couple of weeks in particular – but the race also has a good each-way shape to it with 12 runners.

“The likes of Japan, who will be ridden by Ryan Moore, Magical and the big home-trained contender Sottsass are likely to attract plenty of support against Enable. It’s going to be a very busy day.”

Battaash: a popular bet with punters in double with EnableCredit: Grossick Racing

He added: “We’re most concerned about the Enable-Battaash double. Battaash is very popular at 4-5. That multiple would cost us plenty.”

Bet365 spokesman Pat Cooney predicts “a busiest ever Arc day” for the firm. “We’ve got the most popular Flat horse in the world in Enable plus the fastest sprinter in the world, Battaash, on the same card on Arc day,” he said.

“Enable has lit up the racing world every time she runs, and always proves to be a terrible result for us.

“Although a third consecutive win in the race for her won’t be a good result for us, it certainly would be for racing as a whole in terms of headlines and getting on the news programmes. The sport really needs her to win. We all wish her well.”

Cooney added: “Lots of our staff tend to go to Uttoxeter on Arc Sunday for the jump meeting as it’s just down the road from our Stoke office.

“However, we’ve got a bigger team working this year as we’re expecting our busiest Arc day ever – Enable really is box office, and we’re fully prepared."

For the freshest betting advice, based on latest going and market conditions, don't miss the Live Tipster every afternoon. Just click Raceday Live at racingpost.com or the mobile app