Connections happy with ground for Workforce Fears that Workforce could miss the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on Sunday because of fast ground have been calmed after connections walked the track. Sir Michael Stoute's four-year-old will attempt to become the first horse since Alleged (1977-78) to win back-to-back renewals of Europe's premier all-aged middle-distance race. Only Dylan Thomas in 2007 has prevented a horse from the Classic generation winning in the past eight renewals, and prevailing hot weather in France had threatened the participation of last year's Derby and Arc hero. He will have former champion jockey Ryan Moore on board after a timely recovery from a broken bone in his hand suffered at Glorious Goodwood, and Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to owner Khalid Abdullah, believes that is a massive bonus. At the draw, Workforce was handed stall eight, the same gate he won from 12 months ago. "I hope it's as lucky as last year and he's fared better (in the draw) than some of the other fancied runners," said Grimthorpe. "We walked the track this morning and it is on the easy side of good, they put 10 millimetres on so from that point of view we are fairly happy. "Obviously depending on what the weather does they will consider putting more on and review the situation on Saturday night, and I'm hopeful of a happy outcome. "He's had a few problems but you can't say he's an unlucky horse, he's won an Arc and a Derby so he's had things go right for him as well, that's racing. "It's obviously great to have Ryan back, for all the best reasons. He knows him, he's the only one to have ridden him, he knows what to expect. "The horse is in very good shape, Sir Michael is very happy with him. "We don't feel pressure, that's not the right word, we look forward to these races, it is what you are involved in the game for, you don't feel pressure. There's an excitement. "There have not been many dual Arc winners and we've got a bit of work to do to join them." Workforce was mown down late by So You Think in the Eclipse, but Stoute feels the extra two furlongs will be in his favour. "A very good mile-and-a-quarter horse beat him in the Eclipse, but gave him a race and we know we are proven at a mile and a half - he's a Derby and Arc winner," said Stoute on Racing UK. "Ryan said about four out (in the King George) that Frankie's (Dettori) horse (Rewilding) just clipped him behind and when he was under pressure he hung left. He came back stiff behind, I don't know how much that contributed (to him hanging left), but he had turned in looking the winner. "I hope he will be in the same shape (as last year). It is a very competitive Arc, it's a good Arc this year. I was very impressed with Sarafina (in her trial), she was a bit keen and fresh, and Reliable Man too."
