Archipenko gearing up for Champion bid
Mike De Kock’s multiple Group-race winner was viewed by some as an unlucky loser on his last start in the Arlington Million.
But the open spaces of Newmarket should pose no problems and De Kock is just hoping the ground is not too soft.
“Archi is going well, I’ve got no complaints with him,” said the South African.
“Surely he’ll have a clearer run than last time. I mean, how much trouble can you find on a straight like Newmarket!
“He’ll have a serious piece of work sometime next week, more than likely on Tuesday.
“I don’t think he wants the ground too soft, just the juice just out of it is perfect for him.”
Henry Cecil is likely to be double-handed in the Group One event with Phoenix Tower and Twice Over, both owned by Khalid Abdullah, and the pair are to have a gallop before racing at Newmarket on Friday before racing.
Cecil told his website: “The horses on the whole are running well and hopefully there are more winners to come before the end of the season.
“Phoenix Tower and Twice Over seem in good form and are working up to the Champion Stakes at Newmarket.
“They will hopefully have a racecourse gallop at Newmarket on Friday an hour before racing.”
A total of 30 horses remain in the race after the latest forfeit stage including the likes of New Approach, Duke Of Marmalade, Lush Lashes and Halfway To Heaven. Among the 34 take out were Henrythenavigator, Campanologist, Passage Of Time, Tajaaweed and Tartan Bearer.
