Demuro: at the top of the straight I thought Sottsass was going to win

Turning into the home straight, jockey Cristian Demuro momentarily thought Arc glory was within reach, only for Sottsass to bow to his elder rivals in the closing stages.

Demuro tracked his compatriot Frankie Dettori throughout but was unable to stay with Enable and Waldgeist inside the final furlong.

"He needs to get stronger yet and I think he will make progress on this performance," Demuro said. "I couldn't have had a better trip, I always had Enable just in front of me. We were right there at the top of the straight but then Enable kicked again.

Cristian Demuro (right) was full of praise for SottsassCredit: Racing Post / Scott Burton

"On better ground we might have been better off. He has a real turn of foot and that was less in evidence today but I am very pleased with how he's run. At the top of the straight I thought I was going to win but then Enable went away and Waldgeist came wide."

Waldgeist became the first five-year-old winner of the Arc since Marienbard in 2002, while Prix du Jockey Club winner Sottsass was the first home from the Classic generation ahead of Japan in fourth.

"I didn't quite believe in Waldgeist on that ground but you know he is a good horse and he's been specifically prepared for this one day," said Sottsass's trainer Jean-Claude Rouget. "I'm pleased as Sottsass was the first three-year-old home. We’ll have to win it next year."

Japan was ridden deep in midfield by Ryan Moore and came wide into the straight to throw down his challenge at the same time as Sottsass and the winner but failed to find enough to figure at the head of affairs.

Sottsass (green) stayed on well to finish thirdCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Four-year-old Magical sat no worse than third throughout but came under pressure when the taps were turned on and finished a tired fifth, six lengths behind her stablemate.

"They ran very well and we're very happy with them," said Aidan O'Brien. "It's tough ground and that's the way it was, it's not for everyone. Both would prefer better ground but they ran well.

Asked if Ascot or the Breeders' Cup could come into calculations for the pair, O'Brien said: "It's very possible. We'll see how they are and what the lads want to do."

Ghaiyyath was trapped wide early from his stall 12 draw and took most of the back straight to overhaul early leader Fierement. He began to send out distress signals as the field turned for home and finished a heavily eased tenth.

Japanese racing must wait at another year to see if its Arc dream can be fulfilled, with Kiseki the best of their trio in a never-nearer seventh.

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