Roger Varian reveals Arc de Triomphe the aim for top class colt Defoe
The four-year-old could have a crack at the Grosser Preis von Baden before a trip to Longchamp
TOP class colt Defoe is to be aimed at the Group 1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp, trainer Roger Varian has revealed.
The four-year-old hasn't been seen since finishing third in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh back in May.
That was a slightly disappointing effort considering he was sent off 5-4 favourite, and the heatwave since has meant his trainer has taken a cautious approach.
However, the son of Dalakhani is now back in full training, and a tilt at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is on the agenda.
Varian said: "We think he is still an Arc horse as he has got of some of the best middle-distance form around from earlier in the season. If he does get soft ground he is very good on that."
"He won the Jockey Club Stakes on good ground earlier in the year and he obviously handles soft ground very well, but fast ground is what we want to avoid."
Before that, the Group 2 winner is likely to head to Germany for a prep run - where he should get the conditions he needs.
The trainer added: "We are training him for the Grosser Preis von Baden at Baden-Baden on September 2, which is a mile-and-a-half Group One.
"Ground is a big thing for him and it is just the fast ground we want to avoid."