This historic Group One takes place at Longchamp on Sunday 6th October
We've backed Los Angeles at 16/1
Ryan Moore riding Los Angeles (R, maroon/blue) win The Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes at York. (Getty)
As August draws to a close, the flat season moves into an exciting autumn campaign. For many, the main event of the autumn is the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and the betting for the 2024 renewal is now taking shape.
As far as I can tell, there are only three guaranteed runners in this year's Arc. The unbeaten Look De Vega heads the betting, and will likely take in the Prix Niel before entering this historic race.
Fellow three-year-old, Sosie will fly the flag for Andre Fabre following his impressive victory in the Grand Prix de Paris. Joseph O'Brien has also confirmed that the Arc is the target for Al Riffa, on the back of his runaway victory in the Preis Von Berlin.
Opera Singer sits third in the market, ahead of Delius - also owned by Coolmore - who finished third behind Sosie at Longchamp. Ballydoyle's main hope could turn out to be LOS ANGELES (16/1), and odds of 16/1 vastly underestimate his chances in what looks to be an open Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
The only defeat of Los Angeles' career thus far came in the Epsom Derby, where he finished third behind City Of Troy. Aidan O'Brien's colt was unbeaten as a juvenile, capturing the Criterium de Saint-Cloud on French soil, and bounced back from his defeat at Epsom with a second Group One triumph in the Irish version of the Derby.
Ryan Moore riding Los Angeles (L, blue/maroon) win The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby on Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby day at Curragh. (Getty)
Despite carrying a penalty for that Classic success, Los Angeles claimed a hard-fought victory over stablemate Illinois in the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York. That Group Two is considered the best trial for the St Leger, and Los Angeles could join Illinois, Jan Brueghel and Grosvenor Square in the final British Classic of the season.
In the immediate aftermath of that victory at York, Aidan O'Brien seemed fairly cool on a St Leger tilt for Los Angeles. The master of Ballydoyle mentioned the Irish Champion Stakes, claiming a fourth-place finish or better in that ten-furlong Group One would set his star up perfectly for a trip to Longchamp.
I suspect Los Angeles will only run in the St Leger if O'Brien doesn't think his three stablemates are classy enough to score at Group One level. Los Angeles' class is undeniable and this hardy, heavy son of Camelot will be even more effective on the type of ground he'll likely face in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Verdict
Los Angeles again proved his quality at the Ebor Festival, carrying a penalty to victory in the Great Voltigeur with a little left up his sleeve. An end-to-end gallop over a mile-and-a-half on soft ground would be his ideal conditions, and I fancy Los Angeles will go off at a single-figure price when confirmed for the 2024 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Best Bet1: Los Angeles 2024 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe @16/1 at Star Sports - 10 Units
