Warrsan on Arc trail

Warrsan booked his ticket for next month’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe with a convincing success in the Group One Grosser Volkswagen Preis von Baden in Germany.

Clive Brittain’s seven-year-old lifted the Baden-Baden event last year before heading for the French showpiece at Longchamp but his handler will be hoping he can fare better than his ninth-place this year.

Warrsan was bouncing back to form after a couple of lacklustre runs and Kerrin McEvoy made his move on the Caerleon entire at top of the home straight.

The 6-1 chance kept on nicely to beat the German filly Gonbarda (12-1) while Ascot Gold Cup winner Westerner, who was stepping back to 12 furlongs for the first time this season, finished third.

Godolphin’s Cherry Mix was sent off the 2-1 favourite and Frankie Dettori took the grey to the front in the early stages with none of his rivals keen to make the running.

The Italian was still leading entering the home straight but McEvoy was never far away on Warrsan and pounced with over a furlong left to run.

A delighted Brittain said: “He ran a fantastic race. I would like to have him in training for another year.

“We are going to the Arc now and later to the Breeders’ Cup and then the Japan Cup.”

Dettori blamed the ground for Cherry Mix’s defeat, with last year’s Arc runner-up finishing fifth.

“He needs softer ground,” said the jockey.

Plans are now on hold for Cherry Mix, according to trainer Saeed bin Suroor.

“I was disappointed with the performance as I had hoped for a better one,” he told www.godolphin.com.

“There are no plans at the moment – we will see how he comes out of the race.”