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Owen Burrows was quick to point towards drying conditions for Hukum’s below-par ninth-placed finish in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday.

Jim Crowley managed to work his way into a nice prominent position despite being dealt with stall fourteen but when asked to quicken up, the King George winner could not respond to Crowley's urgings on the drying Paris ground.

Trainer Owen Burrows said: "Obviously the draw didn't help but to be fair to Jim, he was able to get him in a good position and the ground was just too quick, pure and simple,"

"It was balmy weather and felt like we were there in July, but we had a bit of luck with the King George being run on good to soft, so we take it as it comes. We were unfortunate but that's the way it goes."

No decision has been made in regard to Hukum's future but with the majority of international targets likely to be run on ground quicker than good, a trip overseas is unlikely to be on the cards.

Burrows added: "It will be for Sheikha Hissa to decide, I'm sure we will catch up over the next few days and see what's what,"

"All the international races will probably be run on the faster side, so we shall see, but there's nothing jumping out at us.

"He's only had the three runs but to come back and win the Brigadier Gerard and then to win a King George, you can't be disappointed at all. He's been a wonderful servant for me, and he's definitely justified being kept in training."