Racing Newspeintre Celebre hardened to 3 to 1 clear favourite for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe as support for last year's winner Helissio began to ebb yesterday. Coral laid the French Derby winner to a number of well-respected, high-staking customers including one individual bet of £3,000 as they clipped the colt from 7 to 2.
With no interest being shown in Helissio, the firm pushed the four-year-old out to 4 to 1 third favourite (from 7 to 2) behind Pilsudski on 7 to 2 for the Longchamp test.
Pilsudski and Peintre Celebre head Ladbrokes' list on 3 to 1 with Helissio 7 to 2, while the same trio are rated 7 to 2 co-favourites by William Hill.
Coral spokesman Simon Clare said: "Peintre Celebre is proving to be the best backed horse in the Arc by far, whereas Helissio continues to be completely friendless in the betting.
"Our customers appear to prefer the potential of Peintre Celebre to the proven class of Helissio, but only a fool would write off the chances of last year's Arc winner."
St Leger winner Silver Patriarch was still among the Arc entries after three horses were withdrawn at the latest forfeit stage yesterday, Strategic Choice, Rajpoute and Mousse Glacee. But the grey's owner Peter Winfield all but ruled out an attempt at this weekend's big race.
Winfield discussed the race with the colt's trainer John Dunlop on Tuesday night and said yesterday it was "extremely unlikely" Silver Patriarch would go to post at Longchamp.
Winfield feels the winner of the race will come from the older, more experienced horses. "I have no fear of taking on the three-year-olds but there are some very tough and useful older horses in the race," he added. "I think of last year's winner Helissio, Pilsudski, Oscar Schindler and Swain to name but four. You have got to respect them."
Both Oscar Schindler (Cash Asmussen) and Ebadiyla (Johnny Murtagh) were confirmed starters, whereas Aidan O'Brien's Desert King has the Champion Stakes as an alternative target.
Paul Cole, who withdrew Strategic Choice yesterday, reported Posidonas in great shape after a pleasing gallop yesterday morning. "He worked very well today. I was delighted with him. He should go well and we'll certainly give the big guns plenty to think about,".
John Oxx took the opportunity to supplement Aliya, the mount of Pat Smullen, for the Group Thre Prix de Lutece (1m 7f) on Saturday while O'Brien has left in Shahtoush (Prix Marcel Boussac) and Dangerous Diva (Prix de L'Opera) on the Sunday card.
