Rossa Ryan conducted it beautifully - how the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe was won and lost

The start

In ten years time Rossa Ryan may be forced to look back at the tape of Bluestocking's Arc win because he will be next to certain his memory has become rose-tinted. 'It can't really have gone THAT perfectly can it?' he might muse. Yes Rossa, it did.

From the second Bluestocking pinged from stall three, Ryan put his foot down and took total control of the race.

Bluestocking breaks well under Rossa Ryan from stall threeCredit: Sky Sports Racing

By breaking so well, Bluestocking was not only able to get over the top of the two inside her and secure the rail, but she was so prominent Ryan was able to hold Maxime Guyon – aboard favourite Sosie who had also broken well from stall five – on his outside.

The final advantage Ryan was able to gain – and this really was the sprinkles on the cherry on the icing on the cake – came when he allowed Ryan Moore and Los Angeles, who had tracked over from stall ten, to give him a lead and some cover. He conducted things beautifully.

• Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe: full result and analysis

The crucial moment

Given how smoothly the race went you could argue the crucial moment came four days ago when Juddmonte agreed to pay the €120,000 supplementary fee. Or when the rain fell that gave them the confidence to pull the trigger, because there was certainly more chance of her never running than there was of her getting beaten considering the way the race panned out.

The key moment in the race itself came as they began to turn. Moore raised the revs on Los Angeles and Ryan went with him. Two lengths separated the pair, and Guyon and the rest were caught out. In the space of half a furlong Bluestocking suddenly had three and a half lengths on the favourite.

Bluestocking sits behind Los Angeles with favourite Sosie in behindCredit: Sky Sports Racing

As they reached the false straight Guyon had chased back up to sit Sosie on Bluestocking's girth and it was at this point Ryan angled out from behind Los Angeles.

On soft ground he nudged her into the final turn to get her rolling, and then he waited for the cutaway before fully asking her to go and win her race.

Ryan bides his time before setting off for home at LongchampCredit: Sky Sports Racing

They were two decisions which made it almost impossible for her to get beaten. If he'd waited to ask for her effort she may have got caught flat-footed. If he'd gone early she might not have lasted home.

You need a lot of horse under you to ride with that much confidence, but when you secure such a smooth passage you're more likely to have more horse left – and when you have the horse, why not use it?

Bluestocking moves into the lead to deliver Ralph Beckett his first Arc triumphCredit: Sky Sports Racing

It was a ride that brought to mind the Alex Higgins anecdote when a snooker fan was convinced he could have potted every ball of a 147 without realising all the skill and control Higgins was displaying in making it look so simple.

Ryan took the biggest moment of his career and bent it to his will. He dictated how the 2024 Arc would play out. Everything he did early made the home straight a procession.

This wasn't just a jockey lucky enough to be on the right horse, but a coming-out party. Rossa Ryan was born to ride in, and positively impact, the very biggest races and as good as Bluestocking is, her jockey is even better.

Read these next:

'Extraordinary' Bluestocking justifies €120,000 supplement and late gamble to claim a memorable Arc success 

Fantastic Moon connections reverse decision to take him out of Arc after learning of €55,000 fine - then he finishes ninth 

Arc day live blog: Unbridled joy for Rossa Ryan after Bluestocking's Arc heroics - all the action as it happened

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