Vadeni and Alpinista cut for the Arc after impressive weekend wins

On Saturday, Christophe Soumuillon lifted his hands in celebration as Vadeni held off Mishriff and Native Trail to win the Coral-Eclipse Stakes. The following day saw Alpinista scoop Group One glory, seeing off a talented field to win the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud on her return to action.

While connections fear the 12-furlong trip in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe may be too much of a stretch for Vadeni, that hasn't stopped Coral from clipped Jean-Claude Rouget's three-year-old into 7/1. Alpinista, on the other hand, has now won four Group Ones over the Arc trip and Sir Mark Prescott's mare was cut into 14/1 from 33/1 to win Europe's most prestigious flat race.

Coral’s Harry Aitkenhead told RacingInsider.com, “Vadeni secured French success in the UK on Saturday at Sandown and is a 7-1 chance for the Arc, with Emily Upjohn and Westover behind favourite Desert Crown.” 

“Alpinista had been off the track for a while but returned in exactly the same style as before, winning well at Saint-Cloud. The mare is a 16-1 chance for the Arc."

Epsom Derby hero, Desert Crown remains the 5/2 favourite for the Arc with Coral. Sir Michael Stoute's star could face off against Epsom Oaks runner-up, Emily Upjohn and runaway Irish Derby winner Westover in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes later this month, in a race that will have a huge bearing on the betting for this year's Arc.

One horse who won't be making an appearance at Ascot is Adayar, who was scratched from the race today. Charlie Appleby's star, who won the Epsom Derby and the King George last season, hasn't recovered sufficiently from the setback that has delayed his 2022 campaign and Adayar was pushed out to 20/1 in the Arc betting by Coral after Tuesday's scratching.