Saturday reaction: Hurricane was awesome but he has plenty to overcome in Arc

What an amazing Arc awaits us at Longchamp

Mon Dieu, it's going to be one hell of an Arc.

There was already good reason to believe next month's 100th running of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe was going to be something to savour. Saturday's action has only served to get the pulse racing even faster.

With Tarnawa surely boosting her credentials by chasing home the brilliant St Mark's Basilica in the Irish Champion Stakes and then Hurricane Lane powering to victory in the Cazoo St Leger, two of the Arc's leading candidates now boast even stronger credentials.

That said, are we in danger of getting carried away?

Hurricane Lane blows Classic rivals away with stunning Leger display

Tarnawa sure to build on Leopardstown effort

To these eyes, Hurricane Lane produced a more striking performance than Tarnawa – but it is Tarnawa who holds greater appeals for the most prestigious of all European Flat races.

The Arc has been Tarnawa's aim all season. It is because Dermot Weld believes she has a realistic chance of claiming the Longchamp spectacular, a prize so close to the Aga Khan's heart, that the mare was kept in training at five. The Irish Champion was a valuable and prestigious means to an even bigger end.

Tarnawa chases home St Mark's Basilica in the Irish Champion StakesCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

In that sense, Tarnawa ran a cracker, particularly so given she is plainly better over 1m4f than 1m2f. Weld will be excited to get her back up in trip in Paris, where he would love to see easier ground than Tarnawa encountered at Leopardstown. There must also be a good chance he has left a little to work on.

In short, Tarnawa, successful on Arc weekend last year in the Prix de l'Opera, has to be a major player come October's first Sunday.

So must Hurricane Lane, yet there are two things to remember.

What was your big takeout from the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown?

One is that no St Leger winner has ever followed up in the Arc in the same season. The second is what Appleby said during Glorious Goodwood.

Speaking at a time when he expected Adayar to line up in the Prix Niel – he now heads straight to the Arc – Appleby commented: "Both those races are three weeks before the main event but we would have to assess the extent to which the two horses are put to the sword at Doncaster and Longchamp before taking a decision about the Arc.

"You would hope and imagine Adayar wouldn't have too hard a race in the Niel, so if Hurricane Lane did have a hard race in the Leger, he might be the one we start thinking about waiting another year to run in the Arc."

Hurricane reversed Derby form with Mojo Star in their St Leger rematchCredit: Edward Whitaker

So, to what extent was Hurricane Lane put to the sword at Doncaster?

He certainly scored by a wide margin and with tremendous authority, yet no matter how easily he appeared to win, he was running in a Classic over a staying distance. He is likely to have taken a fair bit out of himself. To capture the Arc he will need a constitution to match his talent. It is, however, wonderful to know connections are keen for him to have his shot at a special slice of history.

If you have yet to do so, book your tickets to Paris.

The Queen can continue to dream with Moon

Talking of making history, racing could have no bigger moment than the Queen winning the Derby during her Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

At face value, that dream looks less likely to come true following Reach For The Moon's Doncaster defeat at the hands of Bayside Boy. All hope is, however, far from lost.

Frankie Dettori reported that the Solario Stakes winner felt flat. He also looked flat, performing with none of the flair that had marked his Sandown triumph.

This was the juvenile's fifth outing of the season. Given he is bred to come into his own as a three-year-old, and remembering how exciting he looked three weeks ago, it's much to soon to stop dreaming.

More Saturday reaction:

St Mark's Basilica survives stewards' inquiry to land epic Irish Champion Stakes

Bayside Boy enters Classic fray after edging out the Queen's Reach For The Moon

No Speak Alexander overcomes late drama to land 25-1 shock in rough Matron

Frankel closes in on first sires' title as Hurricane Lane dazzles at Doncaster

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