A good Arc more than a great one, with many of the best European middle-distance horses in attendance, as well as the classy Japanese raider Through Seven Seas (but sadly not that one’s 131-rated compatriot Equinox), and it was one which went to form to a large degree, with Ace Impact confirming himself as just about the best horse in Europe and many of those he beat running close to form. It was run in the fourth-fastest time on record, but that was down to ground that was definitely faster than good and arguably bordering on “firm”, rather than the pace, which was steady until halfway bar a quite quick opening 200m, increased thereafter until slackening briefly again approaching the straight and saw some notably fast late splits, and not just from the winner. His final 600m of 33.06s translates to a finishing speed of 110.0%, but Onesto was every bit as quick in that section, while Through Seven Seas and Continuous also came from behind.

ACE IMPACT (124+3 here, 123+ previously) stamped himself as just about the best horse in Europe, 1 lb ahead of Prince of Wales’s Stakes and International Stakes winner Mostahdaf but still 4 lb behind Japanese superstar Equinox, with a performance of substantial merit and great authority, the quick conditions and steady earlier pace allowing him to show off his trademark turn of foot. He got worked up in the preliminaries (as he had done before the Prix du Jockey Club) but was better by the time he got to the start, was settled in rear and travelled strongly, then was switched outside with 450m to go and quickened really well to lead a fraction after the 200m marker, continuing to run on strongly even after his jockey put down his whip. He is a most exciting colt, without many miles on the clock (unraced at 2 years), and it is to be hoped we get plenty more opportunities to see him in action, perhaps even against Equinox himself at some stage.

WESTOVER (121 here, 124 previously) is having a fine season, winning a Group 1 in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and now second at that level on all 4 of his other starts, this the equal of his head defeat by Hukum at Ascot despite conditions placing the emphasis on speed. Sweating beforehand, he received a good ride, driven briefly leaving his stall but soon prominent, improving to lead 300m out, then staying on well but headed with just under 200m to go.

ONESTO (121+ here, 121 previously) ran at least as well as he ever has and did well given how things unfolded, steadied into rear, tracking the winner from some way out before shaken up with 500m to go, matching that rival’s speed in the closing stages to be nearest at the finish but just failing to grab second. He has always shown a lot of pace but this confirmed he can deliver a high-class performance at 12f/2400m when conditions are like this.

THROUGH SEVEN SEAS (116+ here and previously) flew the flag with distinction for Japan and probably just about matched her previous best (when beaten a neck by Equinox in a Takarazuka Kinen in which plenty went wrong for that rival) under a patient ride, steadied towards the rear and travelling comfortably, not getting the clearest of passages early in the straight but passing plenty of rivals until making little further impression very late on.

CONTINUOUS (118 here and previously) ran a fine race under very different circumstances to Doncaster, matching that form despite being asked to come from behind in a race run at a steady pace for most of the first half, improving from 13^th with 400m to go, though just lacking the pace of 1^st, 3^rd and to a degree 4^th when it really mattered. He can win a good race or 2 at around this trip.

BAY BRIDGE (115 here, 120 previously) ran respectably, especially as he went with the choke out early on, eventually settling just behind the leaders, switched inside with 500m to go but soon making no further impression. His only win at around this trip was on all-weather and he will be at least as good returned to 2000m/10f.

SISFAHAN (115 here and previously) matched his form when second to Simca Mille in the Grosser Preis Von Berlin back in August despite being set plenty to do, still last early in the home straight and running on to be nearest in positional terms at the finish.

FEED THE FLAME (115 here and previously) ran as well as he ever has, probably very smart rather than sufficiently high-class to place in a race of this stature, taking a while to settle and in mid-field pretty much throughout before keeping on.

HUKUM (114 here, 124 previously) was below form but showed up well for a long way, managing to lead briefly with 450m to go, this the firmest ground he has run on in recent times by some way. Connections deserve plenty of credit in bringing him back from a career-threatening injury in the middle of last year.

SIMCA MILLE (114 here, 118 previously) had a bit to find and was not discredited, briefly disputing the lead then slotting into fourth, with every chance until flattening out in the final 250m.

FANTASTIC MOON (114 here and previously) was only 11^th but ran to form having been supplemented, improving a bit from mid-field early in the home straight but no extra late on.

PLACE DU CARROUSEL (103 here, 115 previously) had won a Prix Foy at this trip the time before, but that race was a fair bit more slowly run than this and she did not really see out her race, having turned in in 5^th/6^th.

FREE WIND (103 here, 115 previously) had her work cut out in this company but failed to run up to her best in any case, in trouble after 600m out.

HAYA ZARK (103 here, 113 previously) went too freely in mid to rear early.

MR HOLLYWOOD (100 here, 109 previously) had plenty to find and weakened quickly after leading until 450m out.