Autumn Update winner Ace Impact (Advised @ 100/30)

Ace Impact became the first three year old colt to win the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp since Golden Horn eight years ago. The Cracksman colt produced a brilliant performance to beat Westover by a length and three quarters showing terrific acceleration to reel in Ralph Beckett's runner before stretching clear. Unraced as a juvenile, Jean-Claude Rouget's colt began his career Cagnes-Sur-Mer in late January and has come a long way in a short space of time. A superb winner of the Prix de Jockey Club at Chantilly in June, the extra two furlongs here proved no obstacle as he pulled away from a high quality field. Westover arguably produced a career best in second, while the drying conditions may not have aided the likes of Continuous, Bay Bridge or Hukum. 

Ace Impact's win was a welcome change of fortune for followers of the Autumn Update. Advised at 100/30, his victory was much needed following a frustrating day at Newmarket twenty four hours earlier. Having originally planned to select Ghostwriter for the Royal Lodge Stakes, a change of heart proved costly, while French raider Jasna's Secret didn't look comfortable on the undulating Rowley Mile and may not have enjoy the fast underfoot conditions either. River Tiber was outclassed by Vandeek in the Middle Park Stakes and there were no excuses there. However, the most frustating of all was in the Cambridgeshire Handicap because one can't help thinking Greek Order would have prevailed with a clear passage. He remains a promising young horse for next year. Carolus Magnus, advised at 100/1, finished strongly in ninth and was only beaten three and a half lengths. Given a more positive ride, the five year old would have been even closer - he must have made up more ground than any other runner inside the final furlong and had more to offer when crossing the line. It felt like one that got away.

There are plenty of horses to look out from the Autumn Update in the coming weeks but attention will soon switch to the jumpers with the National Hunt season set to warm up during October onwards. If you haven't ordered your copy of One Jump Ahead, please head to the Publications section. There has been no shortage of rain during the last few weeks suggesting the likes of Paul Nicholls will be unleashing some of his big guns at the forthcoming two day meeting at Chepstow (13th / 14th October). Lucinda Russell has already taken the wraps off her promising young mare El Elefante who scored by 24 lengths on her hurdles debut at Perth last week. Both yards feature in the Talking Trainers section of OJA.