Hukum possesses the right attributes to conquer Europe
wine. This season he has won both his starts – downing 2022 Derby hero Desert Crown at Sandown and then edging out Westover in a brilliant renewal of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.
Jim Crowley is not worried about his wide draw in 14 – history suggests he has it all to do to win from there – and I fancy his class, speed and stamina to see off his rivals.
Westover may prove his biggest rival once again. Ralph Beckett’s four-year-old was a solid sixth in last year’s Arc on ground that he would not have been in love with.
Today’s drying conditions will be more up his street and he looks a solid each-way bet.
The favourite, Ace Impact, won the French Derby and is unbeaten in five starts for the canny JeanClaude Rouget who has targeted him at the race. But he is unproven over the mile and half trip and the petrol gauge could be flickering in the final furlong.
From a betting angle, the 13-2 with William Hill about Hukum looks far more attractive than the 11-4 about Ace Impact.
Continuous has been well backed to make turf history and become the first horse to win the St Leger and Arc in the same season and it would be a remarkable training feat by Aidan O’Brien.
I can see him running well and staying on strongly but he may just lack the turn of foot of one or two others.
Bay Bridge proved he stays a mile and half with victory in the
September Stakes and that was a perfect prep for today. He would prefer softer ground but is an each-way player at 14-1, while market support has grown for Pascal Bary’s Feed The Flame.
Frankie Dettori’s French last tango in Paris is unlikely to end in victory on 20-1 shot Free Wind. But she is very talented on her day and it would not be the biggest shock if she was involved at the business end. She is an each-way bet to nothing.
There are five other Group One races on a fascinating undercard with four of the top level races on ITV4.
Brian Meehan thinks JAYAREBE (1.15)
could be the best juvenile he’s had for a long time and he is a sporting punt at around 14 -1 in the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere.
Karl Burke’s DARNATION (1.50)
looks rock solid in the Prix Marcel Boussac although she won’t want the ground to dry up too much.
If Jim Crowley wins the Arc on Hukum, he’ll be full of confidence 45 minutes later when he rides AL HUSN (3.50)
in the Prix de L’Opera. She can confirm Nassau Stakes form with Blue Rose Cen.
The Prix de l’Abbaye is wide open but it would be folly to desert HIGHFIELD RINCESS (4.25) who would have these for breakfast if she is at her best.
She will need to trap quickly and dominate from the front.
And although Dettori may struggle to win the Arc, he can sign off with a winner on KINROSS (5.00) in the Prix de la Foret – a race Ralph Beckett’s raider won last year.