Arc field down to 16

The field for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe stands at 16 after today’s forfeit stage.

All the leading contenders stood their ground and the Sir Michael Stoute-trained First Charter was, as expected, supplemented for 60,000 euros to help the cause of Derby winner Kris Kin.

Elie Lellouche pulled out Bright Sky, who goes instead for a repeat win in the Prix de l’Opera, while Ana Marie has also been rerouted to the fillies-only Group One.

The other defector was Aidan O’Brien’s Yesterday, another Opera hope.

The final shape of the Arc field will be known on Friday morning after the final forfeit, when Alamshar is expected to be a defector.

After persistent rain on Wednesday, the going at Longchamp had eased out six points on the penetrometer to 3.6, but the turf was drying out today with Paris bathed in autumn sunshine.

Andre Fabre, meanwhile, is expecting a big run from Doyen, who will have Frankie Dettori in the saddle on Sunday as he bids to reverse Prix Niel running with Dalakhani.

“He deserves to take his chance in a good year up against two Derby winners (Dalakhani and Kris Kin) – three including High Chaparral,” he said.

“He’s got a beautiful action and lots of stamina.”

Fabre does have one concern, though – that the electric atmosphere generated by 35,000 fans descending on Longchamp could niggle his rising star.

“That’s the one thing, he’s quite an excitable colt and he’ll be coming up against all the public, but once he’s on the track he’ll be fine, there’ll be no problems there.”

Elsewhere on the Arc card, Tim Easterby’s Stanley Leisure Sprint Cup winner Somnus has been supplemented for the Prix de l’Abbaye at a cost of 12,000 euros.

Mark Johnston’s Darasim has also been supplemented for the Prix du Cadran for the same cost.