He likes cut in the ground – although connections have warned his participation is doubtful if it comes up heavy like last year – and will be nice and fresh on the day. The selection is in the form of his life and still improving. Keen early on and wide throughout, there’s reason to believe he can reverse form with Owen Burrows’ six-year-old, who enjoyed a dream trip, if he lines up. The four-year-old son of Frankel, who was sixth in the Arc last year, was narrowly beaten by Hukum in the King George at Ascot in late July.
One who’s been there and done it at this level, over the trip, in all conditions, is Ralph Beckett’s WESTOVER. Certainly in a race like this, that’s often on deep ground – especially on your first attempt over further than 1m2½f. However, he’s plenty short enough (7/2) at time of writing. The son of Cracksman is 5-5 since making his debut in January and heads to Longchamp on the back of what I thought was a pleasing prep run at Deauville in the middle of August.
Ace Impact is a worthy favourite for the Arc.