Connections of Conduit admit that defeat for the brilliant Sea The Stars in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday would be “very sad” for racing.

Yet the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Conduit, who strode out impressively in a gallop at Sandown on Thursday, is reported in rude health as he prepares to lock horns with the colt who has won five-times at the top level this term, including victories in the 2,000 Guineas and the Derby.

Peter Reynolds, manager of Conduit's owners Ballymacoll Stud, said: “It is going to be extremely difficult to beat Sea The Stars and it would be very sad if he was beaten.

“But if anyone was to beat him, I'd like to think that it was us. We have been trying to win the Arc since 1972 and we will keep trying to win it whatever happens on Sunday.”

The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner, who is currently a best price of 8-1 (William Hill and Coral) has plenty going for him, according to Reynolds.

“This race was always the plan since he won at Ascot and he's in great form. It is over the same trip as the King George and you have to accentuate the positives,” he said.

“We would never take on Sea The Stars over a mile and he has beaten us over a mile and quarter in the Eclipse, but Conduit is running at his optimum trip of a mile and a half. A little bit of rain would help but we'll take our chance. There's no point in shirking the issue.

“Sea The Stars is a superb horse with a superb character and John Oxx has done a remarkable job to keep him at the top of his game all season.

“He didn't turn a hair in the Eclipse and is a very relaxed horse. That's important when going to Longchamp, because the preliminaries take a bit of getting used to. It can upset some horses.
“But we've got to give it a crack.

“Conduit is a battler and he's never run a bad race, and if he gets beaten, he will go down all guns blazing.”

Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Hills): 5-6 Sea The Stars, 5 Fame And Glory, 8 Conduit, 10 Cavalryman, Stacelita, 12 Vision D'Etat, 16 Sariska, 20 bar.