Haggas says there's a "strong chance" Baaeed will line up at Longchamp

Following that stunning victory in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York, there was a clamour for Baaeed to go for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. William Haggas' stable star powered through the line six lengths ahead of Mishriff on his first start over ten furlongs and Jim Crowley further fueled Arc speculation after the race, claiming his mount would comfortably get further than a mile-and-a-quarter.

Stoical as ever, Haggas reiterated to the press gathered at York that the Champion Stakes at Ascot remained the final target for Baaeed, who will be retired to stud at the end of the season. The following day, Haggas was a little more open-minded, stating that Baaeed could run in the Irish Champion Stakes prior to Ascot, or even go for the Arc at Longchamp.

Sky Sports Racing caught up with William Haggas over the weekend, and it seems both the trainer and his owner, Sheikha Hissa had been taken over with "Arc Fever".

"Obviously he's not in the Arc, so he'll need to be supplemented." Haggas told Sky Sports over the weekend. 

"We are not keen to run him on bad ground in Paris. If the ground is nice, there's a strong chance he will go there (the Arc). Otherwise, we'll wait for the Champion Stakes (at Ascot on Champions Day) and run there."

Following this news, bet365 cut Baaeed into 2/1 favouritism to win the 2022 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Yorkshire Oaks winner, Alpinista sits second in the market at 6/1, ahead of Japanese raider, Titleholder and last year's surprise winner, Torquator Tasso.

Like the UK, France has endured one of its driest summers on record. Recent meetings at Longchamp and Deauville were run on good ground, which will be music to Baaeed's supporter's ears.

Arc day is, however, still five weeks away, giving the weather gods over a month to decide whether they want Baaeed to run or not. 

Haggas has never run his unbeaten star on ground worse than good-to-soft and seven of the last ten Arcs have been run on soft ground or worse. All of the last three Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe's have been run on heavy ground, and similar going would certainly see Baaeed skip Longchamp and have his swansong on Champions Day.