Ballydoyle - (Disaster Mess): Trainer Aidan O'Brien is in desperation overload to win Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and is saddling four contenders for the Longhamps showdown amid a wall of money coming in to back local hero Zambezi Sun.
The Master of Ballydoyle has never won Europe's ultimate 12 furlong test and has declared his four-strong team on a wing and a prayer.
These are 3/1 2nd fav Soldier of Fortune, 6/1 chance Dylan Thomas, 150/1 outsider Yellowstone and the 250/1 no-hoper Song of Hiawatha.
The four oppose heavily-backed 5/4 fav English Derby hero Authorised who will be ridden by a hungry and attention-grasping one-time champion jockey Frankie dettori.
"He's the one we've most to fear from," O'Brien said today after having to withdraw his three other contenders, Acapulco, Archipenko and Red Rock Canyon in the final declaration stage.
Meanwhile French-trained 9/2 chance Zambezi Sun - a classy winner of the Grand Prix de Paris on his penultimate start - has delighted trainer Pascal Bary and Saudi owner Prince Khalid Abdullah who is vying his second consecutive victory in the Arc.
"Prince Khalid has laid Zambezi Sun to win at 10/1," a Pari-Mutuel source claimed today.
"He stands to win over £10 million if the horse comes in as predicted."
Internet spread-betting index Aintgottaprayer.com concurs:
"If Zambezi Sun wins we're all off to Barbados for the winter!"
