Star filly Minnie Hauk was made the clear 7-2 favorite for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) after being drawn in stall 1 for Europe's most valuable flat prize at Longchamp Oct. 5.
But the final field of 18 was reduced by one Oct. 2 when Cheveley Park's Estrange was declared a non-runner after returning a dirty scope, leaving trainer David O'Meara "devastated." Estrange had been drawn widest of all in stall 18.
No Arc winner has come from stall 1 since Zarkava in 2008. Minnie Hauk, the mount of Christophe Soumillon, was supplemented for the race by Aidan O'Brien Oct. 1 and heads the betting at 7-2, with Aventure drifting to 9-2 after being drawn in stall 12.
Japan's leading contenders Byzantine Dream and Croix du Nord were drawn in two of the four widest slots.
Aventure has been towards the top of the betting since finishing second, beaten a length and a quarter, by Bluestocking in the race last season.
She was successful in her warm-up over the course and distance in the Prix Vermeille (G1). Past winners Found (2016) and Torquator Tasso (2021) came from her stall in 12.
Minnie Hauk is bidding to stretch her unbeaten record this season to five after an Oaks treble in the English, Irish, and Yorkshire editions.
O'Brien also runs the Wayne Lordan-ridden Los Angeles, who is in stall 14.
Byzantine Dream, the mount of Oisin Murphy, was handed stall 15, while the draw looks to be against Japanese Derby (G1) winner Croix Du Nord in 17. No horse has won the Arc from those stalls since Racing Post records began in 1988.
The third Japanese challenger, Alohi Alii, was given a more favorable position in stall 4 while Leffard was handed stall 6, the berth which has produced the most winners in the last 40 years.
The British contingent is headed by Kalpana in stall 10, representing Juddmonte who won the race 12 months ago. Like Bluestocking, she was second in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) heading into the Arc but was beaten in her prep run in the September Stakes (G3) by Giavellotto, who also heads to Longchamp.
The Jessica Harrington-trained Hotazhell comes from stall 11, which has not produced an Arc winner this century.
After the draw Croix du Nord drifted to 10-1 (from 8) in the Arc betting with Paddy Power following the draw.
After previously sharing top spot in the market, Minnie Hauk (7-2) is now the clear favorite from Aventure (9-2), with Sosie now on his own as the third favorite after picking up a favorable draw in stall 3, the same berth as last year's winner Bluestocking.
Cal Gildart of Ladbrokes said: "There might be 18 entries, but Sunday's Arc is seen as a two-horse race as far as the odds are concerned—and following the draw, it's advantage Aidan O'Brien and Minnie Hauk."
