The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is the likely destination for Hurricane Lane if he makes a successful return to the track this season.
Hurricane Lane is set to return to competitive action at Newbury this weekend after delighting trainer Charlie Appleby in a racecourse gallop at Newmarket.
The son of Frankel enjoyed a fantastic three-year-old campaign in 2021, winning the Dante Stakes, Irish Derby, Grand Prix de Paris and St Leger, as well as being placed in the Derby and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
Much was expected of Hurricane Lane last season, but he made it the racecourse on only two occasions, with a comeback third in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot followed by a disappointing performance in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.
But after seeing the five-year-old draw clear of a stablemate in a seven-furlong workout under William Buick on Tuesday morning, Appleby is confident the entire can bounce back to his best, with Saturday’s Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes – better known as the John Porter – his intended starting point.
“I’m pleased with that. We brought him up here purposely with the ground being good to soft, soft as we know he is a horse that is proven on that surface,” said the Moulton Paddocks handler.
“His three-year-old career, I don’t have to tell anyone about that, but his four-year-old career ended up being disappointing. He ran a creditable race in the Hardwicke Stakes on ground that was quick. We thought we got away with it to be honest with you.
“We then went to the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and the ground wasn’t where we thought it was. It was quick enough that day and he ran a disappointing race.
“We purposely left it there and thought we’d give the horse every chance. The one thing I wanted to make sure starting this year was that he was starting on ground with soft in the description. I don’t want any excuses.
“If the horse were not to turn up, you would have to accept that the horse did what he did as a three-year-old at the highest level and that was that – but on the evidence of what we have seen at home this year, we have been very pleased with him as a physical and just in his demeanour, and I think he has shown you guys out there this morning he has let himself down there.
“The plan is to take a look at Newbury on Saturday with the ground being there to suit him.”
While Hurricane Lane holds several Group One entries, Appleby confirmed the Arc will again be his major target, adding: “The only reason this horse has stayed in training is to work back from an Arc.
“I want to make sure we tick all the right boxes and give him the best opportunity to get there. I don’t want to be there mid-season running on ground he doesn’t want and then telling myself I’ve made a mistake.
“The Arc is our long-term plan and he will be campaigned accordingly around that.”
