Orfevre was the standout performer on Arc trials day at Longchamp ahead of the big race next month and looks a worthy favourite at racing betting odds of 7/2 for the premier middle distance contest in Europe.

The Japanese star finished second in the race in 2012, in which he hung when hitting the front to allow the eventual winner, Solemia, the advantage in the closing stages, when he was eventually beaten by a quarter of a length.

In the Prix Foy yesterday, the five-year old went clear of his rivals under jockey, Christophe Soumillon, and looked better than ever, despite it being his first run in Europe since the disappointment in Paris last October.

Before the trial yesterday, he was as big as 7/1 for the Arc but saw his price slash in half immediately after the stunning display.

Yasutoshi Ikee’s runner went off as the 4/6 favourite and came home three lengths ahead of Very Nice Name and Pirika who were 22/1 and 28/1, respectively. The task was made easier for the favourite when Camelot was withdrawn early in the morning but it would have taken something special from the former Derby winner to stop the winner from making the headlines.

The Belgium opted to hold up his mount much longer in the Prix Foy as there was some criticism directed at him for his ride in the Arc, where he was adjudged to have quickened too soon on the Japanese horse.

There were also wins on Sunday for Kizuna in the Prix Niel and Treve in the Prix Vermeille, but neither caught the eye the way Orfevre did in what was almost an effortless performance.

The big disappointment on Sunday was Flintshire, who had a big reputation going into the weekend but he was well beaten in the Niel and is now out to 8/1 in the racing live betting.