Westover will return to France for the first time since his Group 1 Prix de Saint-Cloud victory for a second attempt at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday.
Trained by Ralph Beckett, the four-year-old produced a solid performance in attritional conditions when sixth in last year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe behind Alpinista. With a generally sunny outlook forecast for the week leading up to the 'Arc', barring rain on Friday, it appears the son of Frankel will have suitable ground conditions this time around.
Westover enjoyed a successful Classic campaign in 2022, finishing third in the Epsom Derby before producing an out-standing seven length demolition in the Irish equivalent three weeks later. He struggled when tested against his elders for the first time in the King George at Ascot, where jockey Colin Keane reported the colt raced too freely and threw away any chance of winning. Westover fared best of the UK and Irish-trained three-year-olds when sixth in the Group 1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on his final run of the year, upholding the Derby form ahead of the O'Brien-trained Luxembourg and Broome.
Although connections may have been hopeful that Westover could produce a big performance against Japanese star Equinox on seasonal reappearance in the twelve-furlong Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic, the form of his second can be upgraded with hindsight. The third-placed Zagrey, who would finish behind Westover again in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, won the Group 1 Preis von Baden in early September and the fourth-placed Mostahdaf has since recorded dual Group 1 victories over ten furlongs.
Westover was one of the unexpected stars of the much-anticipated Group 1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes in late July, with the contest touted as one of the best Group 1's in recent years. It should have been a clash of the generations, with Epsom Derby first and second Auguste Rodin and King Of Steel taking on the older Hukum and Emily Upjohn, but the race took an unexpected turn. With Emily Upjohn and Auguste Rodin failing to get involved, it was Westover who closed on Hukum in the closing stages, with the two older horses battling stride for stride in the final furlong, with Hukum finishing a head in front at the line.
Although Westover's 'Arc' credentials appeared a little shaky earlier in the season, the four-year-old now boasts an impressive resumé. The form of his defeats have subsequently been boosted and the narrow second behind Hukum in the King George appears to be one of the best form-lines in the field. He has previously raced well in the 'Arc', despite an unsuitable surface, and the Ralph Beckett-trained four-year-old is likely to get his ideal ground conditions.
