Estrange to be first Arc runner for Cheveley Park and David O'Meara with rain forecast in Longchamp build-up

Estrange, one of Britain's main contenders for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, has been given the go-ahead for Longchamp with rain now in the forecast in the build-up to Sunday's race.

Trainer David O'Meara and owners Cheveley Park Stud had been hoping for softening conditions for the four-year-old filly, who was second to leading Arc contender Minnie Hauk in the Yorkshire Oaks last time, and their prayers appear to have been answered with various predictions of more than 20mm of rain in Paris late Friday into Saturday.

"The owners have decided with the rain in the forecast now, they'd like her to take her chance," O'Meara said on Tuesday evening. "She worked on Monday and seems in really good form and hopefully with the ground softening we can close the gap on Minnie Hauk a bit. 

"We ran her in the mid-part of the summer on ground we feel is probably on the quick side for her. The two races for her this year were really the Arc or wait for Ascot for the Fillies & Mares, but there's only one Arc."

O'Meara had planned a crack at the Arc for Estrange as far back as May, having put her in the race before her impressive seasonal debut victory in the Group 3 Lester Piggott Fillies' Stakes.

She returned to Haydock to win the Lancashire Oaks in July before heading to York, where she finished three and a half lengths behind Minnie Hauk on good to firm ground.

Estrange, who is best-priced 25-1 with Coral and Ladbrokes, is set to be a first runner in the Arc for Cheveley Park and O'Meara, with Danny Tudhope in line to continue his association with the grey daughter of Night Of Thunder.

Of the other British-trained contenders for the Arc, Kalpana is a 14-1 chance with Giavellotto priced at 25-1 generally.

Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (3.05 Longchamp, Sunday)
William Hill:  4 Minnie Hauk, 9-2 Aventure, 8 Byzantine Dream, Croix Du Nord, 12 Kalpana, Sosie, 14 Gezora, 16 bar.

Read more on Arc weekend:

'She can progress into another gear' - Minnie Hauk hardens as Arc favourite after Aidan O'Brien gives star filly green light 

'She was unbelievable in the Diane' - Francis Graffard calls up Tom Marquand for Arc ride and has high hopes for his trio 

'I was absolutely shocked' - €300,000 Prix du Cadran tempts David Menuisier in after attracting just three confirmations 

Oisin Murphy gets big Arc weekend call-up to ride Victorious Forever hope who is 'still a fresh horse' 

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