'He's like King Kong' - Appleby says Arc still in the mix for on-song Adayar

Charlie Appleby on Thursday gave a glowing update on the progress of his 2021 Derby winner Adayar, who will remain in the reckoning for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at the latest forfeit stage on Monday.

After a long absence, Adayar returned to action with an easy success in a conditions race at Doncaster's St Leger meeting, leaving Appleby leaning towards the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot on October 15 for his next start.

That plan remains a strong possibility but granted decent ground at Longchamp on Sunday week, Appleby said the "likelihood" is that Adayar will take his chance in Paris.

"There's still no concrete plan," said Appleby. "He's going to work on Saturday and if we're happy with that work, we'll leave him in the Arc on Monday and take a look at it then. Most importantly we'll keep an eye on the ground.

Adayar returned for the season with an effortless victory at Doncaster's St Leger meetingCredit: Edward Whitaker

"We know what it can be like and I don't want him to have to encounter what he went through last year [in the Arc]. Admittedly the race wasn't run to suit us, but it was in very testing conditions and then we backed him up on Champions Day.

"The mindset is still Champions Day but if the Arc comes up as being sensible ground, we know at this time of year you have to go where the ground is. If I said I'll wait for Champions Day and all of a sudden it's bottomless there, I'll be kicking myself that I've potentially missed an opportunity in an Arc on decent ground. I'll keep him in on Monday with an open view."

Since Adayar's comeback win at Doncaster, William Haggas has ruled Baaeed, the highest-rated horse in Europe, out of the Arc and into the Champion Stakes, but Appleby said those plans have not influenced his thinking.

He added: "You do what's best for the horse at the end of the day. The Baaeed team are doing what they feel is best for their horse and we'll do what's right for Adayar. We'll go where the ground is right and if we're going to get sensible ground in the Arc, the likelihood is we'll take our chance. If not, we'll wait and roll the gamble on to what we're going to encounter on Champions Day."

After winning the Derby and King George at Ascot last year, Adayar finished fourth to Torquator Tasso on heavy ground in the Arc before finishing a well-beaten fifth on good to soft ground in the Champion Stakes.

According to Appleby, it has been a "long road" to get Adayar back to his peak following those two runs just 13 days apart but he could not be any happier with his current condition.

"He's come out of Doncaster and thinks he's King Kong again and that's what you need," said the trainer. "When he finished last season off with two gruelling races in that ground, it takes a lot for a horse to sometimes come back from it. He's got his mojo back and is 100 per cent the horse that won the Derby, if not better."

Adayar is a best-price 11-1 with Paddy Power and Betfair Sportsbook for the Arc, a race Appleby ruled out for last year's third Hurricane Lane.

Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Longchamp, October 2

William Hill: 4 Luxembourg, 7 Alpinista, 8 Adayar, Torquator Tasso, 9 Titleholder, 12 Onesto, 14 Vadeni, 20 bar

More Arc news:

'It's far from a gamble' – Eclipse hero Vadeni to step up in trip for Arc

Melbourne Cup star Verry Elleegant to be supplemented for the Arc

Arc 'dream' is on for Luxembourg after Irish Champion Stakes thriller

'I was never that keen' – Haggas always favoured Baaeed Champion bid over Arc

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