28 September 2023 , 13:02
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Britain’s top candidate for the Arc has been set a mighty task even before Sunday’s £4.5million showpiece.
King George winner Hukum was handed stall 14, one of the unfavourable wide draws, when the field was completed for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp.
Only two winners have come from stall 14 since 2000 out of six victors from double figure draws.
Coral eased Hukum to 5-1 from 9-2 in the betting while favourite Ace Impact was cut to 100-30 after he was drawn eight.
"Ace Impact's connections can have few complaints about drawing stall eight, and it's a draw that will probably ensure the unbeaten colt is sent off favourite on Sunday, especially as his biggest market rival, Hukum, appears to have been done few favours with a wide draw in 14," said Coral's David Stevens.
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The six-year-old Hukum won the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot when last seen in July, having beaten Derby hero Desert Crown in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown before that.
It will be regular rider Jim Crowley’s task to overcome the wide gate position as Frankie Dettori managed on Golden Horn in 2015.
“I’m sure Jim will be doing all that, but there’s absolutely nothing we can do,” said Angus Gold, racing manager for the owners.
“Golden Horn [ had a lot of tactical speed, he went forward and stayed out wide and got a brilliant ride. There is no point making a fuss about it as there is nothing we can do.
“We’ll just have to work around it, see how he breaks and go forward and hope to slot in somewhere.”
Ace Impact and Hukum head a 15 runner field which also includes St Leger winner Continuous, the Ralph Beckett-trained Westover, Bay Bridge, trained by Sir Michael Stoute and Free Wind, Frankie Dettori’s final Arc mount.
The ground at Paris-Longchamp is expected to be good to soft, with a reported 25 per cent chance of light rain on either Thursday or Friday and no watering planned.