'He's certainly going the right way' - Arc bid still possible for Hukum

Connections of rising middle-distance star Hukum, whose form was boosted in Saturday's Ebor at York, intend to get Sunday's Grand Prix de Deauville out of the way before they consider any temptation to supplement him for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Always held in the highest regard by trainer Owen Burrows, the Shadwell-owned Hukum was a smart three-year-old who won at Royal Ascot before finishing fifth in the St Leger.

He showed his wellbeing and talent with a polished display under Jim Crowley in Newbury's Geoffrey Freer last weekend, while the form of his Group 3 win at York last month was endorsed when Sonnyboyliston, Quickthorn, Max Vega, Roberto Escobarr and Away He Goes – all of whom finished behind on the Knavesmire that month – were first, second, fifth, sixth and seventh in the £500,000 Ebor on Saturday.

Geoffrey Freer result, replay and analysis

Burrows said on Sunday: "He seems to have come out of Newbury very well and did a half-speed bit of work on the grass yesterday – and did that well – so the plan is to go to Deauville a week today.

"His York form was well stacked up in the Ebor with the winner and the second and a few others. He's certainly going the right way and physically he's improving. He did that nicely at Newbury; it was very smooth, while I think the better ground is helping him a bit, and Jim mentioned that too.

"If the ground is soft at Deauville, it's soft. It was very soft when he was third in the Hardwicke and I'd never not run him on it because he goes on it, but interestingly Jim thought the good ground does help him."

Owen Burrows: 'there are plenty of other races'Credit: Edward Whitaker

Shadwell's Raabihah, who won Sunday's Prix de Pomone at Deauville, was a respectable fifth in the Arc last year and is around 25-1 to win the October highlight, for which Hukum, a son of 2009 winner Sea The Stars, would need supplementing.

That would cost €120,000, and he would be a 20-1 shot with Betfair Sportsbook and Paddy Power.

"It is quite expensive to enter for the Arc, even at an early stage, and the team felt he was just going to be lacking 3lb or 4lb, not quite that class, but there are plenty of other races," the Lambourn-based Burrows added.

"It depends on what he does next week and then we'd have to get our heads together, but there was talk of the Breeders' Cup and Hong Kong after he won the Geoffrey Freer, and Deauville will be his sixth race of the year if we're thinking about Hong Kong in December.

"Let's see how he handles the step back up in class and we'll make plans after that. If Arc entries were closing tomorrow I wouldn't be surprised if he got one, but we'll see."

Telecaster won last year's Grand Prix de Deauville and had been fancied to run well in the Arc until a late setback, while Cherry Mix landed the Group 2 in 2004 before finishing second to Bago in the Lonchamp championship.

Read more:

Hukum ensures a testing week ends on a high for Owen Burrows

'The ones we've got have plenty of ability' – Burrows upbeat despite numbers dip

First royal winner for Burrows as Hukum strikes in King George V Stakes

Telecaster dominates Grand Prix de Deauville after 'learning to be a racehorse'

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