3 minute read
Europe’s middle-distance showpiece contest looks sure to be a cracker in Paris on Sunday as all fifteen have stood their ground at the final declaration stage.
Hukum and Westover, who threw up one of the most scintillating finishes of the season when first and second in the King George at Ascot look set to lock horns once more, while they'll be joined by French three-year-old star Ace Impact as he bids to make it a perfect six from six in his career.
Jean-Claude Rouget's son of Cracksman will step up to a mile and a quarter for the first time following a smooth preparation victory in the Group 2 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano at Deauville in August. The unbeaten Prix du Jockey Club winner will be bidding to give Rouget a second success in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe just two years after Sottsass' remarkable victory.
Hukum looks set to lead the English challenge. Masterfully handled by trainer Owen Burrows, he was nursed back from a career-threatening injury to beat last year's Derby winner Desert Crown in the Brigadier Gerard on his reappearance. The full-brother to Baaeed was again given a break before narrowly getting the better of Westover in a titanic tussle in the King George at Ascot and the Shadwell-owned colt, who clearly goes well fresh, will have no issues with the mile-and-a-quarter trip as he heads to Longchamp for the first time.
There's plenty of reason to believe the reopposing Westover will be capable of bettering his sixth-place finish last year, with connections optimistic about his chances on better ground this time around.
The forecast dry conditions prompted connections of German Derby hero Fantastic Moon to stump up the €120,000 supplementary fee, while Coolmore paid the same sum as Continuous, the sole representative for Aidan O'Brien, bids to become the first horse to complete the English St Leger Stakes and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe double.
Japan's search for Arc glory goes on but plenty will feel few better than Through Seven Seas, who came within a neck of downing the world's highest-rated horse Equinox in the Grade 1 Takarazuka Kinen at Hanshin, have attempted to land Longchamp's top prize. Christophe Lemaire will take the ride.
No jockey has been more successful than Frankie Dettori in Arc history and the Italian maestro will be praying the Gosden-trained Free Wind can provide him with a remarkable record-extending seventh success in his swansong season.
Feed The Flame also features amongst the fifteen-strong field as he attempts to reverse placings with Fantastic Moon, while Bay Bridge is one of four British challengers making the journey across the channel.
Simca Mille and Sisfahan, who finished first and second respectively in the Grosser Preis von Berlin last time, both stand their ground, while master French trainer Andre Fabre relies solely on last year's Group 1 Prix de l'Opera winner Place Du Carrousel.
Last year's Irish Champion Stakes runner-up Onesto, Mr Hollywood and Haya Zark round out the field of fifteen.