Trainer Jean-Claude Rouget backs unbeaten Ace Impact to deliver second Arc in three years after revealing the favourite’s preparation has been perfect

• Trainer Jean-Claude Rouget won the Arc de Triomphe with Sottsass in 2020
• Ace Impact only made his debut in January but has rattled off five straight wins
• Son of Cracksman is a general 5-2 chance to extend that sequence on Sunday

Trainer Jean-Claude Rouget is growing in confidence that Ace Impact can deliver him a second Arc in three years after revealing the favourite’s preparation has been perfect.

Ace Impact only made his debut in January but has rattled off five straight wins, the highlight being the Prix du Jockey Club in June. He is a general 5-2 chance to extend that sequence in Paris on Sunday.

An exuberant son of Cracksman, Ace Impact has thrilled Rouget with his progress in the last six weeks, since his most recent victory in a Group Two race at Deauville.

The Arc de Triomphe will represent the biggest challenge of Ace Impact’s career — and the furthest distance the colt has run over — but Rouget sees no weakness in his contender.

‘Why should I not be optimistic?’ said Rouget, who won the Arc with Sottsass in 2020. ‘I have an unbeaten horse and he has done everything we have asked of him.

Trainer Jean-Claude Rouget won the Arc with Sottsass (pictured above) in 2020

‘His jockey (Cristian Demuro) is very calm and he will be cold in Paris. The horse is going to Longchamp for the first time but I have no worries he will handle the occasion.’

There are 14 horses remaining in the entries but there is still a final supplementary stage and German Derby winner Fantastic Moon could be added to the race after pleasing connections with his recent work.

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