Rob Hornby to be reunited with Westover in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe

Rob Hornby believes his in-depth knowledge of Westover will be an advantage in Sunday's Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe after it was revealed the jockey had won back the ride on the Juddmonte-owned colt at Longchamp.

Westover was successful in Sandown's Classic Trial and finished a luckless third in the Derby, having been repeatedly denied a clear run, after which Hornby was replaced by Colin Keane.

The Irish champion jockey partnered Westover to a dominant victory in the Irish Derby before a disappointing fifth in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Hornby was told on Saturday evening that he will be reunited with the Ralph Beckett-trained son of Frankel and he is counting down the days until the big race.

"It's fantastic news and I'm very excited," he said. "I've been associated with him from even before he won on his debut at Sandown, so I know him well and I think it's a benefit.

"I've galloped him over the last three weeks now and he's kept on pleasing us at home and is in a very good place.

"He's done well from the break he's had since Ascot. He puts a lot into his races and doesn't leave anything behind, which is what you want. He'd done plenty and was probably ready for a break to get him back to where he needed to be. He's in great order and seems as well as ever."

Westover: dominant in the Irish Derby under Colin KeaneCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Hornby has bounced back from the blow of losing the ride on Westover to enjoy a memorable season, capped by a Group 1 double on consecutive days at Newmarket when he took the Falmouth Stakes with Prosperous Voyage and the July Cup on Alcohol Free.

He watched on as Westover won the Irish Derby by seven lengths at the Curragh in June but remains phlegmatic about missing out.

"I realised I was getting jocked off for a three-time Irish champion jockey with associations with Juddmonte, it wasn't like it was out of the ordinary and Colin did a fantastic job on the day and the horse was very impressive," Hornby said.

"Ascot didn't really go to plan and I don't think the conventions of the mile and a half suited him, running downhill for the first two and a half furlongs in a small field."

Hornby won the Group 1 Prix Royal-Oak last year on his only previous ride at Longchamp and is hoping for a decent draw for Westover, who is priced at 16-1 generally for the Arc.

"He was disappointing at Ascot and the Arc looks like a very deep field with a lot of runners and I think the draw will be quite crucial, especially for a horse like him," he said.

"I'd love a kind draw to get him a bit of cover and into the rhythm of the race."

Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe card and betting

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