Benoist spoilt for choice ahead of Arc

Updated: Wednesday, 17 Sep 2014 16:06 | Comments

Ectot (left) overcame a long absence to stretch his winning sequence to seven when winning the Prix Niel Avenir Certain remains unbeaten after six races but has yet to run over the Arc trip of a mile and a half

Gregory Benoist is facing a tough choice between Ectot and Avenir Certain in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, according to connections of the leading Longchamp contenders.

The two horses are part-owned by Gerard Augustin-Normand, with Al Shaqab a partner in Ectot and Antonio Caro the other shareholder in Avenir Certain.

Ectot made a successful return from a long lay-off when winning the Prix Niel at Longchamp on Sunday, while dual Classic winner Avenir Certain completed her preparation with victory in the Prix de la Nonette at Deauville last month.

Benoist has ridden the Elie Lellouche-trained Ectot in each of his seven career starts but has partnered Avenir Certain, who is handled by Jean-Claude Rouget, in four outings this term.

With the duo closely matched in the betting in the ante-post market for the race, Augustin-Normand's racing manager Sylvain Vidal admits retained rider Benoist is in quite a quandary.

"Everything is fine with the filly (Avenir Certain) and she is on course for Arc," he said.

"Ectot will go as well and it will be a difficult decision for Gregory.

"I think he will decide towards the end of next week which he will ride. Ectot is a very good horse and Avenir Certain is, too.

"I think he will ride them both before deciding.

"Avenir Certain won the Guineas and the Prix de Diane before Deauville. She is a very good-actioned filly and has plenty of speed, but is also very calm and a good ride.

"Ectot looked very good last week and it is hard for Gregory as it is the Arc.

"The ground would not be an issue for either."

Should Benoist opt to ride Avenir Certain, that would leave Ectot as a possible mount for Al Shaqab's retained rider Frankie Dettori.

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