This 25-1 Arc contender looks all set for the Longchamp showstopper – his price makes no sense at all to me

Matt Chapman

Published: 15:28, 18 Sep 2023
Updated: 15:43, 19 Sep 2023

WHY is Bay Bridge 25-1 for the Arc? Someone, somewhere must think the horse won't run.

My understanding, at least at this stage, is that it's all system go for the big one in France.

Bay Bridge is one classy animal at his peakCredit: AFP

There would be something rather magical in my opinion if Richard Kingscote ended up landing the Longchamp Qatar-sponsored showpiece on October 1 for Sir Michael Stoute, having spent most of the season probably thinking he might do so on Desert Crown.

Agree with Chappers? - Back Bay Bridge at a BOOSTED 25-1 with Paddy Power for the Arc -

The latter is now retired, but of course Kingscote was already ditched from him after his defeat to Hukum in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown.

It's a crazy world, as that was arguably Desert Crown's best career effort.

Hukum was rated 122 that day, and Bay Bridge was on 122 for a couple of his efforts this term before scoring off an official mark of 121 at Kempton last time.

That was in just a Group 3, the September Stakes, but he did with ease and what was most important was that it was Bay Bridge's first attempt at a mile and a half on just a fourteenth career start.

Remember with Bay Bridge we are talking about a Qipco Champions Stakes winner here, and an animal who was narrowly touched off in a Group 1 Prince of Wales's.

Bay Bridge is a class act and goes well with juice in the ground. There are many worse 25-1 chances in a season than him.

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Speaking of Stoute stars, one or two rumours suggest that recent Windsor winner Passenger could head to something like the Canadian International at Woodbine on October 8. He might just be another big opportunity for Kingscote.

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There were lots of good horses running at Doncaster last week, but a couple who caught my eye were King's Lynn and At Vimeiro.

It would have been ironic if King's Lynn had won the Portland, as once he was owned by the King who was at Doncaster, but now he goes in the silks of trainer Andrew Balding.

He ran a cracker in sixth behind Annaf, and although he's mostly done his best running over five furlongs he kept on really well in sixth suggesting that trip with juice might be ideal for him now.

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It feels as though King's Lynn has been around for ages, but he's only six and there might be another good win in him shortly.

At Vimeiro is trained by Jane Chapple-Hyam, and I suspect he's a real talent.

The German bred son of Sea the Stars has a pedigree full of stamina - Nathaniel and Arc winner Urban Sea are in the mix - and made his debut when fifth behind God's Window in a one-mile maiden.

The 650,000gns purchase kept on really well and I suspect he will be very hard to beat in a similar event next time.

Could he be a Classic prospect? It might be suggesting a bit much. But he's good and it wouldn't be the biggest surprise of all time if about this time next year he was a St Leger candidate!