Ulysses is set to be given the green light to take on Enable for a second time in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Chantilly on Sunday week.

The Coral-Eclipse and Juddmonte International hero was among the stars on show at a Warren Hill gallops event at Newmarket on Sunday morning, after which trainer Sir Michael Stoute indicated a trip to Paris was a “strong possibility” for the four-year-old.

Just 24 hours previously Ulysses had impressed in a more stringent exercise on the Al Bahathri Polytrack, and connections are keen for a second crack at Enable, to whom the son of Galileo finished second in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in July.

News that Ulysses is a being primed for the race prompted Coral and Ladbrokes to cut him to 8-1 (from 10) for the Qatar-sponsored Arc, the market headed by Enable at a best-priced 11-10.

Ulysses should enjoy the tight turns at Chantilly as he is usually last off the bridle, as he was when defeating Barney Roy at York last month.

Breeders’ Cup organisers have no cause for immediate alarm, as the Turf on November 4 remains a prime target.

Stoute said: “The Arc is a strong possibility for Ulysses. The Breeders’ Cup is five weeks after the Arc and there’s plenty of time to prepare him to run in that. He cantered nicely this morning.” 

For Coral, David Stevens said: “Although Enable remains a red-hot favourite for the Arc, it’s great that Ulysses is likely to take Enable on once again, and he’s now single-figure odds to gain revenge for his King George defeat.”

He added: “Leger hero Capri has also attracted support since his Doncaster success, and could form part of a strong Ballydoyle team that also includes Highland Reel and Order Of St George. If Cracksman were to take on his stablemate as well, the favourite would have plenty to think about next month.”

The John Gosden-trained duo Enable and Cracksman were also in action on Sunday on Warren Hill as part of the Newmarket Open Weekend, and Cracksman’s owner Anthony Oppenheimer said: “Mr Gosden has not long been back from America and I expect he’ll be assessing the situation this week.

“Our real intention was for Cracksman to win those two Group 2 races at York [Great Voltigeur] and Chantilly [Prix Niel]. That’s because he had two pretty hard races in the Derby and Irish Derby.

“He also started his season quite early. We’ll have to see if Mr Gosden thinks it’s sensible to run him or if it would be better to put him away.”

Cracksman is general second favourite for the Arc but doubts about his participation mean his odds vary wildly, with Sky Bet going 3-1 while Paddy Power and Betfair Sportsbook are 10-1. 

Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe card, form and betting

fonte : RacingPost