More Light work but no Arc decision

Connections of North Light are still undecided whether the Derby winner goes for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe or waits for the Champion Stakes.

The Danehill colt took another step towards the grand finale of his three-year-old campaign with a work-out on the Newmarket gallops this morning after his public exercise during racing on the Rowley Mile course yesterday.

Since his Epsom victory, trainer Michael Stoute has had anything but a clear run with North Light and this point was echoed this morning by Peter Reynolds, racing manager to owners the Weinstock family.

Reynolds is mindful that the late Lord Weinstock had an ambition to win the Arc and that in a 30-year period up to his death he tried and narrowly failed at Longchamp with such greats as Homeric, Troy, Sun Princess, Pilsudski and Islington.

Of that elite quintet, Reynolds recalled: “Homeric broke down behind San San, Troy finished strongly but too late, while Sun Princess was second and Pilsudski and Islington both ran well in it. Looking at our record you could say that it wouldn’t be a bad idea if we won it with North Light.

“We are very keen to run him but he’s had his hiccups and obviously it is up to Sir Michael who will make the decision.

“If he doesn’t make it to France on Sunday week the alternative is the Champion Stakes two weeks later which gives us a bit more time.”

Reynolds, reflecting on what has been a light campaign for the colt, added: “He’s had very little racing in his career and this season has encountered different ground conditions.

“It was softish ground at York and fast ground at Epsom but when he ran in the Irish Derby at the Curragh it just dried up as it can do when the wind blows on the hill there and became at lot firmer than everybody thought.”

Yesterday North Light went before the public gaze with a strictly routine breeze up the Rowley Mile at Newmarket and Reynolds concluded: “Everyone saw him and he looked in great form.”