Market move for the Niel third is understandable - but this rival looks bred for the Arc and has the class to strike

It is rare for a prospective Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe field to not include so many of the year's best middle-distance horses. Breeders’ Cup Classic and Qipco Champion Stakes favourites City Of Troy and Economics have those assignments on their agendas, while top-class geldings Calandagan and Goliath are absentees for obvious reasons.

According to the market the most relevant formlines are last month’s Prix Niel and Irish Champion Stakes. That is difficult to dispute for a field packed with quantity over pure star quality. Sosie landed the Niel fair and square from Delius (second) and Look De Vega (third), but those positions could easily be reversed in the Arc, particularly once the draw is known. 

The Niel was run in a slower time than the other recognised trials on that Longchamp card last month and it is common for French trainers to leave their leading Arc hopes undercooked with the big day in mind. The early-week market move for Niel third Look De Vega, the least-exposed of the three and arriving off the longest absence, is understandable.