COUNTDOWN TO THE ARC

was replaced. He gained significant compensation with Group One wins on Prosperous Voyage, whom he is set to ride again 24 hours before the Arc in the Royal Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket. Hornby said: ‘To say it has been a rollercoaster year is an understatement. It is fantastic after everything to be riding Westover again as I have a really good relationship with the horse. ‘He’s done well from his break and things just didn’t pan out for him at Ascot. The race came on the back of a busy spell where he had put a lot into his Epsom run, then he had the trip to Ireland where he was explosive.’ Hornby has enjoyed Group One glory across the Channel before on his sole previous ride at Longchamp, where he lifted the Prix Royal-Oak 12 months ago on Scope, however the experience wasn’t quite what he was hoping for.

‘It was all a bit strange really. I went over there on my own as there were quite a lot of Covid restrictions still in place and it wasn’t quite how I envisaged celebrating my first Group One win,’ said Hornby.

‘I couldn’t even get a decent beer so had to have one out of a can, on my own.’