Arc Favorite Ace Impact Straight to ParisLongchamp

The G1 Qatar Prix du Jockey Club conqueror Ace Impact (Ire) (Cracksman {GB}) will head straight to the Oct. 1 G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe following his recent victory in Deauville's G2 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano. Conditioned by Jean-Claude Rouget, the undefeated colt gave Rouget back-to-back Group 1 wins this season and will aim to become the trainer's second victor in Europe's richest middle-distance contest behind multiple Group 1-winner Sottsass (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}).

A long-circled date on the calendar for the connections, the team is reportedly happy with Ace Impact's form going into the Arc as the general 7-2 favorite.

“We are very pleased with him since his run in the Prix Guillaume d'Ornano,” said Pauline Chehboub, racing manager for her family's Gousserie Racing operation.

“He is a very unique horse and every time he comes to the races it feels like he loves it. We are very fortunate to be a part of this champion. His target since the French Derby, like Jean-Claude Rouget announced, is the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, so we follow the plan. He is the Arc favourite, unbeaten and his limits are unknown. The dream continues.”

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All Roads Lead to ParisLongchamp for Westover

Last year's G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby winner Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is poised to head directly to France where he'll get a second chance at the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe 12 months after running sixth in last year's renewal over unsuitably testing ground.

The Ralph Beckett-trainee is currently enjoying a break at his trainer's Kimpton Down base and the connections are keen to follow last year's route to the Bois de Boulogne–with a trip to Santa Anita for the Breeders' Cup also in the planner following his attempt at Europe's richest middle-distance contest on Oct. 1.

A head second to multiple Group 1 winner Hukum (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) in Ascot's G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S., hopes are high that the son of Frankel can build on last year's finishing position.

“He came out of the King George great and he's having a little break now at Ralph's,” said Barry Mahon, the European racing manager for owners Juddmonte. “He's been on the go early this year having been to Dubai and then recently had two quick runs, so I think he's thinking he'll freshen him up and go to the Arc then on to the Breeders' Cup.”

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Auguste Rodin Likely to Target Derby Double

Michael Tabor, John and Susan Magnier, Derrick Smith and Westerberg's Derby hero Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) is expected to make his next start in the July 2 G1 Irish Derby at The Curragh.

“I would say he'll go to the Irish Derby,” Tabor told racingtv.com. “I haven't discussed it, but it's common sense to say he definitely goes to the Irish Derby. Then we'll bring him back in trip–a mile and a quarter–for some of those races.”

The striking bay colt previously finished 12th in the May 6 G1 2000 Guineas, the initial leg in the Triple Crown.

“He won't go to the [1 3/4-mile] St. Leger,” Tabor added. “In my mind, that Triple Crown dream is over. A St. Leger horse is not what we are looking for, once he can't do a Triple Crown.”

Looking a bit farther down the road, Tabor indicated the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp in October could be a consideration in addition to the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita the following month.

“It is a long way before the end of the year,” he said. “We'll see how he is. It could be the Arc, but the ground could be against him, although he won on soft as a 2-year-old. We've even got the Breeders' Cup [Turf] as an option on the turf. We'll see how he goes and have those discussions, I'm sure.”

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Entries for Arc Close Tomorrow; Maximum Number of Runners Increased

Entries for the G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, worth €5 million this year and set to be contested on Sunday, Oct. 1, close tomorrow, Wednesday May 10, at 10:30 a.m., France Galop announced.

For this year's running, the Executive Board of France Galop decided to increase the maximum number of runners from 20 to 24. The change was made after last year when the 20-runner limit led to several being eliminated at the final declaration stage.

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