Fifteen stand ground for Arc

Authorized will face a maximum of 14 rivals in Sunday’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Peter Chapple-Hyam’s star steps up to 12 furlongs for the first time since his Derby win at Epsom and is set to clash with Aidan O’Brien’s Soldier Of Fortune, winner of the Irish version in July.

That Ballydoyle inmate is one of seven potential O’Brien runners, with Dylan Thomas, Yeats, Acapulco, Yellowstone, Archipenko and Red Rock Canyon still in the Longchamp feature.

French-trained hopes Zambezi Sun and Mandesha are other key names, while Youmzain and Dragon Dancer could strengthen the English challenge.

Saddex, Anton Chekhov and Sagara complete the list of possibles.

While ante-post favourite Authorized looks sure to face another stern examination in Paris, Chapple-Hyam is counting down the hours after he completed his preparation in grand style on the Newmarket gallops.

Not seen since trumping his rivals in the Juddmonte International at York, Authorized has done everything asked of him at home.

Chapple-Hyam said: “He just powered up there. It was as good a piece of work as he did before the Juddmonte and Derby.

“Authorized is in superb form and just where I want him to be,” the trainer told www.peterchapplehyam.com.

“He is absolutely spot-on. The weekend can’t come quick enough.”