North Light set for Arc tilt

Michael Stoute has given his Derby winner North Light the go-ahead to contest this Sunday’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp following a pleasing spin on the gallops yesterday morning.

The Epsom hero has not raced since finishing runner-up to Grey Swallow in the Irish Derby, but satisfied the master of Freemason Lodge in a seven-furlong gallop on Newmarket’s Limekilns first thing on Sunday.

“I was very satisfied with the work, and he will run at Longchamp,” Stoute told the Daily Telegraph. “Now, I’m hoping the ground doesn’t become too quick.”

The son of Danehill was an impressive winner of the Dante on his seasonal bow but returned home sore after contesting the Irish Derby on fast ground.

North Light could yet be joined in this weekend’s autumn showpiece by stablemate Quiff, who partnered the Derby winner in yesterday’s workout.

An 11-length winner of the Yorkshire Oaks on soft ground last month, Quiff went to finish second to Rule Of Law in the St Leger on ground considered much too quick for her.

“Quiff would need to be supplemented, and the deadline is not until Thursday,” added Stoute.

“If the ground was Good to Soft, or softer, it would be tempting. She seems to have come out of the Leger well, but that race can take its toll, and you never really know until they’ve run.”