Find out who features among the 17 remaining entries for the Arc at Longchamp on Sunday

Daryz put the finishing touches to his big-race prep in a pleasing workout alongside Calandagan on Monday morning, as 17 horses remained in contention for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, with most of the main fancies standing their ground.

The highest-profile absentee is Prix Foy third Almaqam, who trainer Ed Walker had warned over the weekend was more likely to be kept fresh for the Qipco Champion Stakes.

Also taken out were last year's fifth Sevenna's Knight – leaving Andre Fabre to rely on Sosie and Cualificar as he goes in search of a record-extending ninth Arc success – as well as Jan Brueghel and the Joseph O'Brien-trained pair Al Riffa and Tennessee Stud.

While backers of triple Group 1-winner Minnie Hauk will have to wait until Wednesday's supplementary stage to have her participation confirmed, Aventure and the horse she deposed as Arc favourite, Kalpana, head an already strong challenge among the fillies and mares for a race which has been evenly split between the sexes at five apiece in the last ten years.

Minnie Hauk: convincing winner of the Yorkshire Oaks

Minnie Hauk: could be added to the Arc line-up on WednesdayCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Croix Du Nord defeated Daryz in the Prix du Prince d'Orange and is one of three Japanese-trained colts, along with Alohi Alii and Byzantine Dream, who head to Longchamp on Sunday with serious credentials in search of the country's first triumph in the Arc.

Giavellotto will take his chance under Andrea Atzeni as the weather forecast looks set to remain largely dry, with the ground at Longchamp unlikely to be anywhere near as testing as has been the case in three of the last four years.

A dry end to last week means the ground has moved from a penetrometer reading of 4.0 (tres souple) last Thursday to 3.7 on Monday, with the accompanying description of 'souple' on the French scale edging towards good to soft in GoingStick terms more familiar to British and Irish punters.

However, the ground at Longchamp is unlikely to dry out quickly with temperatures slow to climb in the mornings, while some forecasts have introduced the possibility of 3mm of rain on Friday.

Green team in fine form

Graffard gave hit-outs on Les Aigles to the Aga Khan Studs' Arc hope Daryz and French 1,000 Guineas winner Zarigana, who is entered in the Prix de la Foret and about whom a decision is due to be made on Tuesday.

Ridden by Clement Lecoeuvre, Daryz breezed around Chantilly's most famous trialling ground in company with King George winner Calandagan and Mickael Barzalona, the pair easing clear of an excellent yardstick in Surabad without being asked to really open up.

On Sunday Barzalona will be aboard Daryz, who is a best-priced 16-1 for the Arc.

Racing manager Nemone Routh said: "Daryz went well. We were quite surprised by the ground today. It was quite holding and Clement said coming into the straight he was a bit unsure how Daryz would pick up, but he did pick up well. I don’t think it will be as heavy on Sunday from what I understand and we were very happy with him.

"Calandagan is in good form with himself. He’s got a bit more work to do yet and he knows what he’s doing, he’s very professional. Daryz is a fit horse because he ran a couple of weeks ago, whereas Calandagan did a solo racecourse gallop last week. He doesn’t need huge amounts of work and the plan was for them to finish upsides."

Princess Zahra Aga Khan is yet to decide on Zarigana's participation but Routh said the daughter of Siyouni – a granddaughter of unbeaten Arc winner Zarkava – could not be in better form after galloping with Zabiari.

"Zarigana did everything easily and took the lead at the end," said Routh. "She’s in great form with herself and they feel she’s probably back to the form she was in before the Poule d’Essai, which was probably the best they’ve had her this year. She’s in great form physically and is moving very well."

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Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe remaining entries

Giavellotto Marco Botti
White Birch John Joseph Murphy
Arrow Eagle Jean-Claude Rouget
Sosie Andre Fabre
Los Angeles Aidan O'Brien
Byzantine Dream Tomoyasu Sakaguchi
Estrange David O'Meara
Quisisana Francis Graffard
Kalpana Andrew Balding
Aventure Christophe Ferland
Daryz Francis Graffard
Leffard Jean-Claude Rouget
Cualificar Andre Fabre
Hotazhell Jessica Harrington
Croix Du Nord Takashi Saito
Alohi Alii Hiroyasi Tanaka
Gezora Francis Graffard

Paddy Power: 7-2 Aventure, Minnie Hauk, 8 Croix Du Nord, Sosie, 9 Byzantine Dream, 12 Cualificar, Kalpana, 14 Alohi Alii, Daryz, 16 Gezora, 20 Estrange, Giavellotto, 33 Los Angeles, Quisisana, White Birch, 50 Leffard, 66 Arrow Eagle, Hotazhell.

Minnie Hauk would need to be supplemented on Wednesday.

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