Longchamp - Grand Prix de Paris Odds and Betting Preview

PARIS, FRANCE - Longchamp racecourse is putting on a garden party tomorrow evening to celebrate Bastille Day and the fourth most valuable horse race in France, the €600,000 Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris. The Group One contest regularly attracts the best 3-year-old horses in Europe and is seen as an early pointer to the Prix de l`Arc de Triomphe, which is also run over the `classic` distance of 2,400 metres (1½ miles). UK bookmakers make Aidan O`Brien`s Irish radier, Jan Vermeer, the favourite to win the race.

In the last 20 years, Saumarez (1990), Peintre Célèbre (1997), Bago (2004) and Rail Link (2006) have each managed to complete the Grand Prix de Paris - Arc double, whist last year`s winner of the Grand Prix de Paris, Cavalryman, finished third in the Arc behind Sea The Stars.

This year`s Grand Prix de Paris is a fascinating tussle between the top thoroughbred owners in the world: Sheikh Mohammed (Godolphin), the Aga Khan, Coolmore, the Wildensteins, the Wertheimer brothers and Prince Khalid Abdullah.

Jan Vermeer is the 5/2 (bet €2 to win €5 profit) favourite in Ladbrokes` book, but his bubble has burst in his previous two starts. He was a disappointing 9/4 favourite in the Epsom Derby and then he could only manage third in the Irish Derby behind Cape Blanco. The son of Montjeu could be more effective over a shorter distance of 1m2f, but it is interesting that connections are sticking to 1m4f. Jan is probably best avoided in the betting at such short odds, and is likely to be sent off at around 7/2 on the PMU (French Tote).

Next in the betting is Planteur at 3/1 with Betfred, who finished second in the French Derby to Lope De Vega. Planteur has still not won a Group One race, but he may reward his backers given that he is returning to the track where he won the Prix Noailles over 2,100 metres. Jockey Anthony Crastus keeps the ride.

Behkabad takes the eye at 4/1 with Blue Square, and the way he finished fourth in the French Derby suggests that he has it in him to reverse the form with Planteur. He is currently 20/1 with Coral to win the Arc for the Aga Khan, but the owner`s retained jockey, Christophe `Starcraft` Lemaire, is out of action for several weeks with a broken leg. Gérald Mossé is by no means a bad partner for Behkabad - he rode a treble last Sunday at Maisons-Laffitte.

Coral have Ice Blue next at 7/1, but his trainer Pascal Bary has never won the race before. A weak case can be made for Prince Khalid Abdullah`s runner of the back of his Prix Greffulhe win.

Goldwaki is a rapidly-improving colt who has won his four race this season and the 6/1 shot will be looking to give trainer André Fabre his 11th win in the race. The trainer also runs 12/1 Lawspeaker, but Goldwaki has a stronger chance of winning for jockey Olivier Peslier.

As for the outsiders, 50/1 Ivory Land will be partnered by Champion Hurdle-winning jockey Christophe Soumillon. Allesson is at 50/1 with Stan James, and Vivre Libre is the rank outsider at 250/1 with Paddy Power.

The race will start at 8.20pm (CET) on Wednesday 14 July and UK viewers can catch in on At The Races at 7.20pm (BST), or in their local bookie.

Grand Prix de Paris betting odds

Prix de l`Arc de Triomphe betting odds

French horse racing betting odds