IT is not surprising that James Doyle is set to do whatever it takes to get his body weight down below 8st 9lb so that he can ride Sea Of Class in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Doyle has struck up a formidable partnership with William Haggas’ filly. Unraced as a juvenile last season, the Sea The Stars filly has run five times this year, and Doyle has ridden her on all five occasions. Beaten a neck by Ceilidhs Dream on her racecourse debut at Newmarket in April, she has won her next four. Two listed races and two Group 1s, the Irish Oaks and the Yorkshire Oaks.

Doyle was particularly inspired on Mrs Tsui’s filly in the Irish Oaks at the Curragh, taking her from last at the two-furlong pole to first at the winning post, getting up to beat Forever Together by a neck, without recourse to the stick, in one of the finest riding performances that we have seen all season.

He is probably important to the filly too. Not only is he a top-class rider, but he knows the filly well. He knows her subtleties. And that is important with a filly who, for all her talent, does have her own unique characteristics.

The rider hasn’t ridden at a lower weight than 8st 11lb in the last 12 months, but you can be sure that he will find the extra 2lbs. He may not have an overly large saddle underneath him, but you know that he will do the weight all right.