'I get the impression he's stronger than ever' - Mario Baratti confident as he plots British raid with stable star Metropolitan

Mario Baratti is aiming to finish off his breakthrough fifth season with a licence in the manner he has gone through the rest of the year, with Metropolitan reported to be "stronger than ever" ahead of a tilt at the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Qipco British Champions Day.

Metropolitan has shown decisively that his win in the Poule d'Essai was anything but a one-off, chasing home Rosallion and Henry Longfellow in the St James's Palace and then proving best of the rest behind Charyn in the Prix Jacques le Marois over the straight mile at Deauville. 

"Metropolitan really is an extraordinary racehorse, and he just gets better and better," said Baratti. "Despite the fact he doesn't really enjoy the heat, he performed really well in the Jacques le Marois on quick ground and under a blazing sun."

Metropolitan is a general 12-1 chance to take his revenge over Charyn from Deauville if the pair reoppose on October 19.

Trainer Mario Baratti will aim Metropolitain at Ascot's QEII StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

"He goes on any ground and I get the impression he's stronger than ever following the Marois," said Baratti of the son of Zarak, who will stand at Haras d'Etreham at the end of his racing career, something Baratti believes is more likely to be in 2026. 

"I think there's every chance he'll stay in training at four," he said. "With every run he's shown he has the speed for a mile and, if anything, as he gains in experience, he's getting faster. That said, he's a very easy horse to ride and so at some stage there's no reason not to try 2,000 metres [mile and a quarter], other than why change a formula that's working." 

Stablemate Misunderstood is being prepared for a possible tilt at Group 1 honours on Arc day and has emerged in good form from his all-the-way success in the Prix de Chenes at Longchamp last week, a victory that not only provided Baratti with his first win at Group level with a two-year-old, but was a first stakes win for his young sire Hello Youmzain. 

Misunderstood runs in partnership for Etreham and Mustapha Bekhti, and while the Chenes was over a mile, he showed plenty of speed with a view to dropping down to seven furlongs and the haul to Longchamp's second winning post, should the decision be taken to run in the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere. 

"He's a very good two-year-old with a big engine," said Baratti. "He's only going to improve and you'd imagine there's more to come, both in terms of him learning about racing and also physically.

Misunderstood and Alexis Pouchin after winning the Group 3 Prix des Chenes at LongchampCredit: Racing Post/Burton

"He ran a very fast first 600 metres [three furlongs] and was still able to go again at the finish."

Baratti will be guided by the wishes of owning partners and the form of the colt as to whether they go for gold in the Lagardere.

He said: "As well as natural speed, Misunderstood has a certain stamina which helps him at the end of his races and it was a very good performance the other day. He's come out of it very well, he's entered in the Group 1 and that would be the logical next step.

"The entourage will decide, while the horse will tell us if he's ready to run again." 

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (3.15 Ascot, October 19)
Paddy Power: 7-4 Charyn, 7 Fallen Angel, 10 Opera Singer, Facteur Cheval, Diego Velazquez, Almaqam, 12 Metropolitan, Inspiral, Quddwah, 14 bar 

Read these next:

'That's the best I've seen him with Ryan riding' - Breeders' Cup-bound City Of Troy delights Aidan O'Brien in sparkling Southwell gallop 

King George winner Goliath ruled out of Sunday's Preis von Europa due to minor setback - but Japan Cup still the plan 

First glimpse of Gosdens' yard and Irish Champion Stakes hero Economics among the highlights at Newmarket Open Weekend 

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.