Montmartre is new favourite for Arc

A stunning four-length victory in the Grand Prix de Paris last night propelled Montmartre to the head of the betting for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. The winning margin could easily have been doubled if Christophe Soumillon had not eased the Aga Khan-owned son of Montjeu inside the final furlong. He replaces his stablemate in Alain de Royer-Dupré's yard, Zarkava, at the head of Arc betting on 4-1, with that filly sharing second favouritism in Ladbrokes' lists with Soldier Of Fortune. New Approach, his rival as the season's leading middle-distance colt, is on 6-1.

A French victory on Bastille Day looked in no doubt as the raiders from Britain and Ireland were unable to get in a blow. Doctor Fremantle, the Derby fourth,filled the same position here but was left flat-footed at the rear of the field when Montmartre quickened in the straight, while Curtain Call, under Frankie Dettori, was made to look very one-paced and faded into 10th. Even Aidan O'Brien's trio, headed by Alessandro Volta, were unable to make an impression.