Mishriff, the joint top-rated horse in Europe, is to bypass a crack at next month's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) for another tilt at the Oct. 16 Qipco Champion Stakes (G1) at Ascot, it has been revealed.
The top-class 4-year-old, trained by John and Thady Gosden, put up his best display when slamming Alenquer by six lengths in the Juddmonte International (G1) at York last month which moved him on to a BHA rating of 127, the equal of his old rival St Mark's Basilica.
A general 12-1 chance for the Arc, Mishriff is instead to stick to 1 1/4 miles for a second crack at the Champion Stakes in which he finished only eighth to Addeybb a year ago.
Since then, the son of Make Believe has racked up wins in the Saudi Cup (G1) and the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) before finishing in the money in the Coral-Eclipse (G1) and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes (G1) over 1 1/2 miles at Ascot.
He then dropped back in trip at York to post his most impressive win under retained rider David Egan.
John Gosden said: "After discussions with owner Prince Faisal it has been decided that Mishriff will have his next race in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot. We feel we should stick to a mile and a quarter with him rather than a tough mile and a half in Paris as he's not short of speed and he won over nine furlongs in Saudi Arabia."
Mishriff is as short as 7-4 favorite for the Ascot feature, where he could potentially face a rematch with St Mark's Basilica, who he finished behind in the Eclipse.
Gosden added: "Mishriff has come out of his York win in great shape and we feel he's a stronger horse this year, which should stand him in good stead for an autumn campaign."
Arc Favorite Tarnawa in 'Great Shape'
Dermot Weld was relieved that new Arc favorite Tarnawa came out of her Irish Champion Stakes (G1) effort unscathed, admitting that he was worried the superstar mare might have picked up an injury by racing on unwatered ground in the race's closing stages.
In a thrilling climax to last Saturday's €1 million showpiece at Leopardstown, Tarnawa and Colin Keane were carried across the track by St Mark's Basilica which prompted the stewards to call an inquiry, but the placings remained unaltered with the winning distance three-quarters of a length.
Despite the defeat, Tarnawa was promoted to favorite for the Arc and is 3-1 with Betfair, bet365, and Paddy Power, but as short as 5-2 with William Hill and Sky Bet.
Weld said on Friday: "She has come out of the race very well. She's in great shape. Given that they drifted all the way across to even beyond the chase track at Leopardstown, I have to admit I was worried about the firmness of the ground over there and the damage it might have caused her. Fortunately, she is fine."
Reflecting on the race itself and Tarnawa's performance over a trip many felt was a few furlongs short of her best, Weld added: "I knew going to Leopardstown that I had her in great order. She was bouncing out of her skin on the morning of the race.
"She did what I thought she would do. She ran extremely well and I was delighted with her."
With just over two weeks to the Arc—her ultimate aim all season according to Weld—the master trainer thinks he has the 5-year-old exactly where he wants her.
He said: "She came forward nicely from her first run back at Leopardstown to the Irish Champion Stakes. She won't do a whole lot between now and the Arc—we'll keep her nice and fresh for it."
