Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe stay on Sky Sports activities Racing: Westover again larger and higher says Juddmonte’s Barry Mahon | Racing Information

Westover, one of many main British contenders for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, is firing on all cylinders and anticipated to benefit from the unusually dry forecast in Paris.

Ralph Beckett’s colt, who completed sixth in final 12 months’s race on extraordinarily mushy floor, has been aimed immediately on the end-of-season spectacular, which sees the world’s finest mile-and-a-half stars collect on October 1, stay on Sky Sports activities Racing.

This 12 months’s contest sees Ace Influence because the one to beat, based on the betting market, but in addition contains a captivating rematch between Westover and Hukum, with the latter popping out on prime in an epic King George at Ascot in July.

Talking to Sky Sports activities Racing on Thursday, Barry Mahon, racing supervisor to homeowners Juddmonte stated: “Westover is in fine condition. He went to Salisbury final week and Ralph and Rob [Hornby] had been delighted with how he went. That may have introduced him ahead loads.

“I preserve getting a each day replace on the forecast from France saying there isn’t a extra rain forecast so it is set truthful to be respectable floor.

“We have proven we might be very versatile ground-wise, we simply don’t desire it to show heavy like final 12 months. Rob was adamant the horse received caught within the mud. Something higher than that may go well with us simply positive.”

It has been a constant marketing campaign for Westover, returning with a positive effort behind Japanese famous person Equinox within the Dubai Sheema Basic earlier than once more filling the runners-up spot within the Coronation Cup.

He then made a profitable journey over to France in July, touchdown the Group One Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud earlier than ending a head behind Hukum at Ascot final time.

“Every of his runs this 12 months has been an enchancment,” Mahon stated. “His final run was a career-best so we’re hopeful that he is nonetheless bettering.

“He was a really large body of a three-year-old and we felt he’d enhance once more at 4.”

Hukum (9/2) has been effectively supported for Arc glory, with Westover a tad extra ignored at 9/1, however Mahon believes they may reverse the shape.

“There was nothing in it and we all know Hukum is a top-class horse,” Mahon stated. “We would be hopeful that with a unique monitor on a unique day, we may get a unique end result.

“It isn’t a given and it is the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe so there’s prime horses in it from prime to backside. It will be a top-class renewal and we’re fortunate to be part of it.”

The most recent on Juddmonte’s stars…

Arrest

“I used to be delighted with him [in the Leger, second]. To complete second in a Basic isn’t a foul factor.

“A bit like Westover, he is an enormous shell of a horse and he’ll be a a lot better four-year-old. Frankie [Dettori] felt that as effectively when he received off the horse.

“It appears to be like like he is completed for the 12 months. He has lots of strengthening to do. I might say he’ll begin at a mile-and-a-half and something as much as a mile-and-six [furlongs], he’ll be positive.”

Chaldean

“It is all techniques go for the QEII [at Ascot]. I spoke to Andrew [Balding, trainer] yesterday and he is very pleased with him.

“We’ll have a racecourse gallop within the subsequent couple of weeks simply to place him spot on. He wanted a break after France however he is contemporary and effectively now.”

Greek Order – Cambridgeshire

“He is in good type. He is a stunning, large horse. We had been a bit pissed off early within the season when it simply wasn’t occurring for him however Ryan Moore saved saying to maintain the religion and it is come proper eventually.

“We’d like a couple of to return out of the race however it’s all techniques go for the Cambridgeshire.”

Nostrum

“We have no plans on the minute. He was fairly sore behind after York so he wanted a little bit of relaxation and remedy. He is again cantering however we will take our time.

“His setback earlier within the 12 months has simply put us on the again foot a bit.”

Array

“He is within the Mill Reef on the weekend. I do not suppose the bottom might be a problem for him as a result of I all the time felt he’d go together with a little bit of ease in it so he appears to be like on monitor for Newbury on Saturday.”

Any names to look at?

“I do not need to jinx any of them however we do have some good two-year-olds and a few Frankel fillies to run.

“We ran a pleasant filly final week known as Rising Signal for Ger Lyons at Punchestown and a pleasant two-year-old for Andre Fabre known as Zandy who’s liable to go to the Marcel Boussac.”