Freedman hoping for 'a little bit more luck' as Artorius completes European tour

Artorius will bid to sign off his European campaign in winning style when he lines up in the Group 1 Arc Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville on Sunday (2.55).

The son of Flying Artie has acquitted himself extremely well in two starts this summer, charging home to grab a dead-heat for third in the Platinum Jubilee at Royal Ascot, before a similar late show saw him occupy the same slot in the Darley July Cup.

Artorius arrived in Normandy on Friday and has since been joined by joint-trainer Sam Freedman, who is pleased with how the recently-turned four-year-old is looking.

"He's handled it all well," said Freedman. "He's a very laid-back horse that’s accustomed to travel now and he's settled in well. Hopefully he at least maintains his form and if he improves just a tad he should be highly competitive.”

Jamie Spencer is once again charged with plotting his way between rivals on a colt that has not been swiftly away in either of his two starts in Europe.

Sam Freedman hopes the extra half a furlong will help Artorius at Deauville on SundayCredit: Alan Crowhurst

"He's fit and well and I don't think he necessarily needs to improve a lot, he could just do with a bit more luck in-running and perhaps a slightly more sedate tempo should help," said Freedman. "I think his biggest win was off a month between runs so I think the timing is a good recipe for success."

The Maurice de Gheest is run over the slightly unconventional distance of six and a half furlongs, while Deauville is pancake flat compared to the stiff uphill finishes that featured in his two previous assignments.

"In Australia all his racing has been on flat surfaces," said Freedman. "He didn't seem to mind the stiff finishes in his races over in England but I think the extra 100 metres and maybe a slightly slower tempo will hopefully see him able to stay in touch a little bit better and then get over the top of them."

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