Paul Mulrennan column: my Saturday rides and Arc pick

Our ambassador Paul Mulrennan shares his views and big-race fancy for Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and gives you the inside guide on his Friday and Saturday in his latest exclusive website column.

Owen Burrows is a dab hand at getting his horses primed for the big occasion. Hukum is unbeaten in three since returning from Dubai, emerging successful after a fine battle with Westover in the King George and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes at Ascot.

Stamina is a key component for the Arc, and both Hukum and Westover are proficient on that score. Ralph Beckett’s Irish Derby winner gave an admirable account in last year’s Arc, finishing sixth to Alpinista (with the 2022 Arc winner Torquator Tasso third).

Jean-Claude Rouget last trained the winner of the Arc in 2020 (Sottsass) and he’s responsible for saddling the favourite Ace Impact. The Cracksman colt produced a power-packed late finish to win the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) and was reportedly only 80-85% fit when returning with a Group 2 win at Deauville.

His ability is clear and obvious but, in bidding to make it 6-6 (career), he competes beyond 10.5 furlongs for the first time. Cracksman was a Great Voltigeur and Coronation Cup winner, so you’d imagine that he will take step up in distance in his stride, but we can’t tick that box just yet.

Aidan O’Brien relies solely on his progressive three-year-old Continuous, having supplemented the Great Voltigeur and St Leger winner earlier in the week. He will bid to become the first St Leger winner to go onto win the Arc in the same season.

Pascal Bary has enjoyed success at the highest level in France for many decades, and despite saddling six French Derby winners, and a couple of French Guineas winners, he’s yet to crack the challenge of the Arc. However, I think that 2023 could finally be his year with Feed The Flame.

The Kingman colt was a ready winner of Grand Prix de Paris in July, in a race which featured the Irish Derby second Adelaide River (runner-up) and the Oaks winner Soul Sister (third). Things didn’t go according to plan in the Prix Neil – beaten by Fantastic Moon – but it could be worth overlooking that prep run and keeping the faith. Precious few can ride Longchamp like Christophe Soumillon.

Ripon is the closest track to home, and I’ve hardly ridden there at all this season, so it is nice to finally have a ‘home game’ on Saturday.

I have five rides across the afternoon, starting with Kandoo (1.45pm) for Archie Watson. She has done well since joining the stable – form figures of 213 – and while this is my first time aboard she appears to be a speedy filly. Hopefully, she’ll continue to prove competitive.

Hurstwood (2.55pm) relishes competing at Ripon, so he’d be the pick of my Saturday rides. He won a division of this (from a similar mark) last year, and his most recent C&D third to Fortamour was a solid effort. He’s a completely different horse here, he seems to handle the undulations particularly well.

Mr Wagyu (3.30pm) finished eighth of 24 in last week’s Ayr Gold Cup and turns out swiftly in the feature Ripon Cathedral City Of The Dales Handicap. His back catalogue is well-known – a Stewards’ Cup Consolation, and a Scurry Handicap are highlights – and he’s another with winning form at this undulating track. He ran well at Ayr, so I’m grateful to John Quinn and his owners for the opportunity.

In addition to American Star (4.05pm) for Ruth Carr, I’ve also picked up a nice spare on Pledgeofallegiance (5.15pm) for Sir Mark Prescott. He has won twice this year over staying trips at Redcar and Doncaster.

As always, Ayr was incredibly competitive last weekend. Although on the scoresheet with Ayr Poet, I was disappointed - more frustrated - that Euchen Glen was denied in the Kilkerran Handicap. Without taking anything away from the winner (Thundering), I thought he should have won.

I’m at Newcastle on Friday for three booked rides. Angel Amadea (6.30pm) and Malinheadsearovers (7.00pm) contest divisions of the seven-furlong Class 6 handicap, but Lady Wormsley (8.00pm) is probably my best ride.

She has won two of her last three - Doncaster and Kempton – so seems to be a versatile filly. She has been raised 4lb for her latest win, which came in first-time cheekpieces, and importantly, did run well at this track during her juvenile season.