In Swoop (nearest) finishing second to Sottsass in last year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe © Photo Healy Racing
In Swoop has a couple of options for his next race after making a winning return to Group-level competition when taking the Prix d’Hedouville at ParisLongchamp on Thursday.
The colt was second to Sublimis on his seasonal debut in the Listed Prix Lord Seymour at the same track in April, but turned that form around when triumphing by a length and a quarter from The Good Man under Olivier Peslier, with Sublimis third on this occasion.
The race is run over the same course and distance as the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe — a contest the Francis Henri-Graffard-trained four-year-old is set to target again this year after finishing just a neck behind Sottsass last season.
Graffard said: “It’s a bit on an ordeal when you watch him race, as he really needs a strong ride.
“He will never win by far. He has come on for his seasonal debut, and I think that he will improve considerably for this run.
“I prefer racing him on soft ground as he can stiffen up, it helps him.”
Graffard is ultimately planning another bid for the Arc, with both the Group Two Grand Prix de Chantilly and the Group One Coronation Cup at Epsom under consideration beforehand.
“As for future plans, there are two options, the Grand Prix de Chantilly, which comes on the heels of this race, and the Coronation Cup at Epsom,” Graffard said.
“We will mull matters over with the owner before coming to a decision.
“Regarding the Epsom option, it’s above all a question of stamina.
“We will follow the natural course of the programme book, and have followed the plan established during the winter, as it was in my plans to first tackle a Listed race before coming here.
“Since the advent of the new year, the plan was always to stick to 2400 metres (12 furlongs) with him.”
