French Racing / Editor / 04 October 2008 /

Leading lights have already shown a level of form that would win an average renewal of the race, says Timeform.

Duke of Marmalade, currently available at [ 6.4] on Betfair having drifted to an amazing [9.0], is officially their number one turf horse in the world.

But the exchange's [2.86] favourite Zarkava gets the fillies 3lb allowance on Sunday and is also in possession of a Timeform 'p' - quite something for a filly who has already established multiple Group 1 winning credentials - and the ratings organisation believe that she could prove herself one of the best fillies in a decade at the weekend.

Timeform spokesman Kieran Packman commented: "Assuming conditions don't deteriorate and Duke of Marmalade takes his chance, this looks a good quality renewal of the Arc. Zarkava is potentially a top-class filly and is joint top-rated with Aidan O'Brien's four-year-old after her scintillating wins in the Diane and the Vermeille.

"The way we see things, both Zarkava and Duke of Marmalade have already shown form good enough to win an average renewal of the race.

"Zarkava's unlikely to be able to afford to lose as much ground at the start in the Arc as she did in the Vermeille and her draw also makes things tricky, but she's yet to be extended this year and she could prove herself one of the leading fillies of recent times.

"Duke of Marmalade brings an impeccable seasonal record in to the race and we currently consider him the number one turf horse in the world. He tends to do only what's required and he'll set a stiff standard for the field to pass if he takes his place in the line-up. He certainly looks the value call at this stage.

"We know that Papal Bull is capable of going close at this level on his day, as he proved with his narrow second in the King George, but he underlined his moodiness in Germany last time when, in theory, he could have run the best part of a stone below his Ascot form and still won, but could only manage a distant third. The winner was allowed to build a long lead, but it was disappointing he couldn't get past the runner-up."

Timeform Arc ratings

Zarkava 141p
Duke of Marmalade 141
Papal Bull 140§
Soldier of Fortune 139
Youmzain 139
Getaway 138
Meisho Samson 135
Ask 134
Kamsin 133
Vision d'Etat 130p
Zambezi Sun 130
Schiaparelli 129
It's Gino 128
Red Rock Canyon 122
Cima de Triomphe 119
Blue Bresil 116

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