Derby Victor Adayar Will Head Straight to Arc

Cazoo Derby (G1) and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes (G1) winner Adayar  will head straight to the Oct. 3 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) after an infection in a hind leg ruled him out of the Sept. 12 Prix Niel (G2) at ParisLongchamp Racecourse.

Adayar landed the Epsom classic under Adam Kirby in June and was partnered by William Buick when following up in Ascot's midsummer highlight, in which he defeated subsequent Juddmonte International (G1) winner Mishriff  by a length and three-quarters.

The Prix Niel had been targeted as a warm-up to the Arc, but Adayar will now have his first start outside of Britain in the big race itself, for which he drifted to 9-2 second-favorite (from 7-2) with Paddy Power Sept. 7. Star filly Snowfall  heads the betting at a general 9-4.

Trainer Charlie Appleby said: "Adayar missed a couple of days and after discussions we felt there was no need to press on to a trial (for the Arc). So, the decision was made to head straight to the Arc.

"He has resumed full training, and as a Derby and King George winner he fully deserves to be running in what's shaping up to be a vintage Arc."

More immediately, Appleby will chase further classic success Sept. 11 with odds-on Cazoo St. Leger (G1) favorite Hurricane Lane , and is confident the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (G1) and Grand Prix de Paris (G1) winner will stay the trip of one mile and 6 1/2 furlongs at Doncaster on Saturday, describing him as "the class horse in the field."

Godolphin's last success in racing's oldest classic came with the Mahmood Al Zarooni-trained Encke  in 2012 and Hurricane Lane, seeking a hat-trick of top-level wins, heads the betting at a general 4-6.

Appleby said: "Stepping up in trip is the big question for all of the runners, but in his case I think he'll stay the extra two furlongs.

"He goes into the Leger with rock-solid form. He's been beaten only once when he finished third in the Derby and lost two shoes. We feel there's enough evidence there to say he'll stay and he's the class horse in the field.

"When he went to Epsom in June he was unbeaten in three starts and relatively inexperienced. That was his undoing on the day. But what we've seen since is a much sharper model. He's mentally stronger and more mature, and is ready for this.

"William (Buick) rode him in a good piece of work last Wednesday, 10 days out from the Leger, and he was delighted. He looked great and moved well. He's been doing routine work since and continues to please."

Hurricane Lane is likely to join Adayar in the Arc next month if in good order after Doncaster, with Appleby adding: "We're lucky to have two very good middle-distance horses, and if both are fit and well we'll run the pair of them in the Arc."