Mick Channon is counting down the days as he begins to step up Youmzain's preparations for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on October 3.

Runner-up in the last three renewals, Channon is confident of a good performance provided the seven-year-old heads to Longchamp at his peak, both mentally and physically.

Last seen when third behind Harbinger in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, Youmzain started his Paris preparation in earnest with a spin at West Ilsley on Tuesday morning.

Channon told www.mickchannonracing.tv: "He wasn't scintillating, but I'd be worried if he ever was. He just enjoyed himself and today was the beginning of his Arc build-up.

"He's fit, it's just a question of keeping a lid on him until October when we'll try to get him to Longchamp at his peak once more.

"He's a seven-year-old entire and knows his routine inside out. The problem is that he's so well, we need to do something with him to occupy both mind and body and as his preparation steps up, you can see he knows what's coming.

"It's a question of us keeping him safe and sound - his well-being is his own biggest problem at times as he can get fresh.

"With him, we're wishing time away, which I suppose is a crime at my age. The Arc is such a big deal though that we just want to get there in one piece and at our very best."