Top commentator Simon Holt believes Ulysses can reverse King George form with Enable in Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Chantilly.
As Ryan Moore proved on Found last year, sticking to the inside at Chantilly can save a huge amount of ground and, with luck in running, the draw has been kind to Enable and ULYSSES in Sunday's Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
From stall two, Frankie Dettori should be able to obtain a prominent position on the stout-staying short-priced favourite Enable who seeks a six-timer, and a fifth Group One, after victories in the Epsom and Irish Oaks, the King George and the Yorkshire Oaks.
Ground versatile and guaranteed to see her race out up Chantilly's steep finishing climb, it is hard to find too many faults in the filly's credentials especially as she will reap the enormous benefit of an age and sex allowance.
That said, I thought she was just a shade workmanlike last time on the Knavesmire and, while she still receives 10lb from Ulysses compared to the 14lb at Ascot which should be enough to confirm the placings, Sir Michael Stoute's colt could be the fastest improving horse in the field.
Indeed, given how beautifully he travelled before quickening to dispose of smart three-year-olds Churchill and Barney Roy in the Juddmonte Interational at York, it's quite possible that Jim Crowley's mount is a better horse now than he was at Ascot.
The official handicapper seems to agree having raised Ulysses 6lb to a rating of 127, a pound higher than Enable.
From stall one, Crowley is likely to ride a very different race than Dettori as it is important that he switches his mount off in the early stages, especially over this trip, and therefore he will need some luck and the gaps to appear at the right time.
It could be that, as at Ascot, Enable will stay too strongly for Ulysses over a mile and a half but the selection is bred to get the trip well, handles cut in the ground and, if he travels as well as he did at York, then a well-timed challenge could prove decisive.
With three-year-olds boasting an excellent record in recent years, it is perhaps not surprising that Ryan Moore has opted to ride another four-time Group One winner in Winter who, like Enable, gets every allowance going.
The big question is whether this hugely likeable grey filly will stay a mile and a half, but she's by Galileo (albeit out of a sprinting mare) which offers hope and connections report that she has been working well since her surprise defeat by stable-companion Hydrangea in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown last time when thought in need of the outing following a setback.
Of Aidan O'Brien's five runners, Moore may well be on the class act but stable-mates like Order Of St George (third last year) and the Leger winner Capri are much more certain stayers. On the other hand, whether they have the speed - the class - to win an Arc, unless it becomes a sloggers paradise, is another matter.
The home team looks pretty weak but the dual French Classic winner Brametot could be a big player providing he doesn't get left behind at the start.
This tough son of Rajsaman, who came from way off the pace to land the Prix de Jockey Club over ten furlongs here in June, completely missed the break at Deauville last time and cannot afford to forfeit so much ground in this company.
However, should Brametot be able to hold some sort of position, then he would be dangerous to under-estimate as he has a great fighting attitude and runs as if he should stay.
The wet weather forecast and likely ease in the ground has fallen in favour of German raider Dschingis Secret who relishes the mud and beat Cloth Of Stars with something in hand in the Prix Foy over course and distance.
This demands more but Markus Klug's tough colt is another who cannot be entirely discounted.
Recommended bets
2pts win Ulysses 3.05 Chantilly at best-morning price
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