Ace Impact Strengthens Arc Credentials With Deauville Success
Unbeaten French colt Ace Impact added another success to his tally when he landed the Group Two Prix Guillaume d’Ornano at Deauville on what is likely to be his final run before he features in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in October.
The three-year-old has now won all five of his races on the track in his career and he is considered the leading French horse in this year’s field for the premier turf contest in Europe.
Jean-Claude Rouget’s Colt Tops Betting for Longchamp Feature
Ace Impact tops the Arc de Triomphe betting market for this year’s race following his latest victory on the track. He traveled well throughout the contest and although the winning margin was less than a length, he always looked in control of the race.
The son of Cracksman won the Prix de Jockey Club (French Derby) earlier this season which helped him establish himself as one of the best colts of his age group. In what was his first run over 10 furlongs, he seemed to improve for the step up in distance.
Frenchman Jean-Claude Rouget won the Arc in Sottsass in 2020 and he will be hoping his latest star colt can replicate what he achieved at Longchamp. It will be his first test over 1m4f, but the legendary trainer is confident the distance will not be an issue for the recent Deauville winner.
Challengers Likely to Come from the UK and Ireland
One of the leading challengers to Ace Impact in this year’s Arc is set to be Hukum, a horse who has had an excellent campaign in the UK. His latest success came in the Group One King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes which included a strong field at Ascot.
Owen Burrows’ gelding has won his last three starts on the track. His sole appearance in 2022 came in the Coronation Cup at Epsom which he won by just over four lengths. He then made a winning return to action in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown back in May, getting the better of former Derby winner Desert Crown.
Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien’s best chance of winning a third Arc this year could be with Paddington. The three-year-old has had a fantastic campaign, winning all six of his assignments. He began the season in handicap company but his last four victories have come at Group One level.
Paddington became an Irish Classic winner when he landed the Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh back in May. He then followed that up with wins in the St James’ Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown, and the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
The Ballydoyle runner’s next challenge is set to come in the Juddmonte International at York where he will step back up to 1m2f. His connections will then need to decide if they want to test their horse over 1m4f for the first time in his career.
This year’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe takes place on Sunday, October 1 on the second day of the meeting at Longchamp.
