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| Sumita Pawar |
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Despite his "career-best" near-miss in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on Saturday, Westover is not certain to run in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
The 4YO is currently priced at 10-1 as the best option for Europe's richest race. This comes after a close defeat by just a head to Hukum, with Rob Hornby riding, in an intense battle at Ascot on Saturday. However, last season at Longchamp, the Frankel colt trained by Ralph Beckett finished only sixth on very soft ground. If the conditions for the upcoming race are similarly challenging, the colt will not participate.
Heartbreaking Defeat Fuels Determination For 4YO Colt's Redemption
Juddmonte racing manager Barry Mahon said on Sunday, "He'll get a little bit of a break now, he was on the go early this year and he's had two quick runs. We'll have to think about the Arc but we know from last season that he doesn't want heavy ground and we've seen in the last few years that it can come up heavy there.
"Ralph said yesterday if it's like that this time we won't run. There are plenty of other races and the Breeders' Cup Turf could be a nice fit for him."
Westover achieved his second Group One victory in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud just three weeks prior to the King George. Mahon also commented, "I believe it was the best performance of his career at Ascot. The winner deserves all the credit as they are undoubtedly two outstanding horses. It was an incredible race, and even when we were overtaken, I still believed we had the opportunity to regain the lead. Rob provided him with an excellent ride, and the horse gave his all."
"It's full credit to Ralph and his team, they've done some job and produced him beautifully on the back of a big run in France, it's not easy to back up that quick. Ralph was bullish, it was he who gave us the confidence to go for the race and he was vindicated."