Screen Critic, who was runner-up in the Arc two years ago, showed he retains his form well by landing the top Calne Racing Arc Trial Stake over 480 metres at Swindon on Wednesday.
Kevin Hutton’s runner, who will be five in October, rode a few bumps on the way to the turn and then went clear to eventually beat Leamaneigh Turbo by two lengths in 28.98sec
Hutton was also on the mark in the other division with his Taranis Bolt. Kennelmate Face The Blade was the favourite but missed the kick and was in the wars.
It was left to Taranis Bolt to sweep around the outside and come home half a length clear of Swift Europe in 29.24sec.
In trials before racing, Liz McNair’s Coolemore Joe, a Henlow and Yarmouth Derby semi-finalist, clocked the quickest time when recording 28.54sec in a solo trial.
Mark Wallis’s Oaks finalist Evanta Evita made all to beat kennelmate Aayamzaone by six and a half lengths in 28.60sec in a two runner trial.
Wallis’s Domino Storm made all to beat kennelmate Blonde Nipper by almost three lengths in their workout to clock 28.67sec.
Former local runner Ericks Gav did 28.69sec in his solo spin.
The £8,000 to the winner Arc gets underway on Saturday April 18.
