Workforce in Arc bid

Champion jockey Ryan Moore was in the saddle as the Sir Michael Stoute-trained colt went five lengths clear of the five-year-old Group Three winner Confront in the workout over a mile.

Despite the satisfactory session on a racecourse, connections are still perplexed about why Workforce – such an emphatic winner of the Epsom Derby – followed up this triumph with such a lacklustre performance in the King George at Ascot in July, a race won by stablemate Harbinger.

Stoute knows that a disappointing Arc run would impinge on his horse's future value at stud. Equally, the Paris 'blue riband' race is the one major trophy to elude the trainer – and Workforce, runner up to Cape Blanco in the Dante at York in May, could just be the horse to prevail in a wide open renewal 12 months after Sea The Stars galloped into the record books.

"He went nicely. It was a good piece of work," said owner Prince Khalid Abdullah's racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe. "There's still no decision on the Arc. We'll see how he checks out, see how he comes out of the work and move slowly onwards. Michael seemed happy with him. Ryan was on board and he was pleased as well. That doesn't mean to say he's a definite runner."

Bookmakers Stan James were taking no chances, however, and have cut Workforce to 9-2 from 5-1 for the Arc.

"In what looks a non-vintage year, we certainly want to keep the Derby winner on our side – especially with three-year-olds having won six of the last seven renewals of the Longchamp feature," said Charlie McCann, head of Stan James PR.

BOOKMAKERS have unanimously inserted Canford Cliffs as favourite in his defining clash with Makfi in Saturday's Sony-sponsored Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.

Richard Hannon's colt finished third behind the French ace in the 2000 Guineas in May before gaining his revenge over a below-par Makfi in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.

They both won on their next start, Canford Cliffs in the Sussex Stakes while Makfi dethroned Goldikova at Deauville, and will arrive in Berkshire at the top of their game.

It is not just a two-horse race, however, with last year's winner Rip Van Winkle reverting to a mile following his victory in the Juddmonte International at York.

MALTON jockey Paul Hanagan increased his lead over Richard Hughes in the jockeys' championship to 19 following a double at Beverley yesterday.

Hanagan, the pacesetter since the opening day of the season, triumphed on 10-1 shot Kinlochrannoch before Corsicanrun, the even money favourite, won the finale. The rider bids to extend his advantage at Redcar today where he rides in all eight races.

Hughes has four rides at Goodwood and seven at Kempton's evening meeting.