Ocean’s Arc hopes sunk

CRYSTAL OCEAN will bypass Sunday’s Arc in favour of the Champion Stakes at Ascot on October 20.

The Sir Michael Stoutetrained four-year-old — second to returning Arc heroine Enable in the September Stakes at Kempton last month — was as short as 10-1 for Europe’s middle-distance championship.

But owner Sir Evelyn De Rothschild has decided against paying the £106,000 required to supplement Crystal Ocean for Longchamp this weekend.

“He is in the Champion and that’s where he’ll go,” said Stoute. “He won’t be going to Longchamp.”

Enable is 5-4 favourite with Betfair.