Golden Horn wins the Eclipse under Frankie Dettori

PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

THE STATE of Longchamp’s ground will be critical in determining whether Golden Horn takes on Treve in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, but owner Anthony Oppenheimer on Monday stressed the Irish Champion Stakes winner’s connections are “certainly not frightened” of racing’s sweetheart.

Treve careered clear of quality opponents in Sunday’s Prix Vermeille, a sublime effort that left her no bigger than evens to make history by becoming the first triple winner of Europe’s most coveted Flat race.

Golden Horn, who followed up his triumphs in the Derby and Coral-Eclipse at Leopardstown, keeping the race after a stewards’ inquiry into the interference he caused to third home Free Eagle, is almost universally quoted at 7-1, but connections took him out of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes due to soft ground and could yet decide not to run him in Paris.

Oppenheimer said: “We wouldn’t want to run on soft ground, on which we’d be giving the others an advantage. I would really want to run him on good ground, and we’d have to be sure the ground in France is suitable for him. Punters, I believe, should be offered prices ‘with a run’ as the ground will be a big factor.

“The Champion Stakes is slightly different in that regard as it’s over a mile and a quarter. If it was good to soft at Ascot I don’t see why he shouldn’t run there. There is, of course, also the Breeders’ Cup Turf to consider.

“We’d prefer the two European races and if, by a miracle, we got really good ground at Longchamp and Ascot, he could run at both.”

Assessing Golden Horn’s chances relative to Treve, Oppenheimer added: “It was interesting to see Postponed ran a faster time than Treve when winning the Foy. That’s food for thought, isn’t it? We’re certainly not frightened of Treve.”

You need to be 200 per cent

Trainer Criquette Head-Maarek reported on Monday that Treve had taken Sunday’s race in her stride.

“She reminded me of when she won the 2013 Arc,” Head-Maarek said. “The Vermeille will bring her on as well. She was not short of work but she was short of racing, so that has to bring her on.

“Andre Fabre’s horse New Bay won very well. You would also have to fear Golden Horn if he comes, and Jack Hobbs as well. I am confident Treve will run very well, but you need to be 200 per cent to win the Arc. On Sunday she was 100 per cent.”

New Bay is a general 5-1 shot, while Jack Hobbs is best at 10-1 with Paddy Power.