JUST when you thought that the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe should be taking shape, eh, it isn’t. All the trials have been run now, and we are still not sure of the make-up of the race.

Enable is on track, that’s for sure. We have known that since before she spreadeagled her field at York, adding the Yorkshire Oaks to her Epsom and Irish and Cheshire ones. She is a veritable Oaks magnet.

But we’re not sure yet if Cracksman is going to run or not, which is bizarre in the extreme, the Prix Niel winner who is fit and healthy and well and progressive and three. We have been here before. As things stand, two weeks away from the 2017 Arc, 54 weeks away from the 2018 Arc, does he really have a better chance of winning the Arc next year than he has of winning the Arc this year?

And we’re not sure if Juddmonte International winner, Eclipse winner, Ulysses is going to go. You know that his primary target is the Breeders’ Cup Turf, and maybe an eyeballs-out run in the Arc is not the ideal preparation. You can understand the logic.

GEORGE LOOKS GOOD

At least it looks like Order Of St George is going to run. Aidan O’Brien’s horse looked as good as ever in the Irish St Leger and, last year’s third, you never know, he goes there on the back of a win this year, and if the ground is softer than last year’s good ground, he could be a big player.

It also looks like Highland Reel is on track, last year’s runner-up and, in contrast to his stable companion, fast ground would be a positive for him.

Zarak and Brametot are apparently on track, even though we haven’t seen either in a while, as is Satono Diamond, despite his disappointing run in the Prix Foy.

Bateel isn’t entered in the Arc. She was five seconds faster in the Prix Vermeille than Cracksman was in the Prix Niel on Sunday, which was impressive, even allowing for the sedate early pace in the Niel. Francis-Henri Graffard’s filly would be a player if they happened to decide to supplement her.