The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is one of the highlights of the racing year. It is also one of my favourite ante-post races thanks to Waldgeist landing the spoils for us at 20/1 a few years ago.
This year’s renewal looks a particularly open affair right now and I think the 50/1 available about Francis-Henri Graffard’s Sea The Stars colt, Map Of Stars, is a mad old price. Yes, he has been beaten on his last three starts (his first three goes at G1 level) but they all came over 1m2f and I don’t think we are going to see the best of this lad until he steps up to a mile.
Obviously, his sire was one of the best 1m4f horses of all
time and his dam, Bateel, wasn’t too shabby herself at the distance (won the G1
Prix Vermeille at Chantilly over 1m4f). His pedigree is screaming that he wants
this longer trip and the manner of his last three runs over 1m2f suggest he’ll improve
for it too.
Like Waldgeist, Map of Stars has now had experience in Group
1s in England, Germany and on home turf so he should be prepared for all
tactical scenarios, be it a slowly or fast run race. He has also won on all sorts
of ground, including on heavy, and that is always a huge plus when backing a
horse ante-post for any race given the unpredictable nature of the weather.
I’d imagine Map Of Stars will have one more run before the
big one, maybe in the G2 Prix Foy the month before. If he does win that 1m4f
contest, there is no way he’ll still be available at odds of 50/1 for the Arc
so I think he’s worth a small e/w investment at that price. Fingers crossed he gets there in one piece.
2025 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Ante-Post Tip: Map Of
Stars e/w @ 50/1
