Who could thrive and who may be hindered in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe as the ground turns soft?

Rain has hit Longchamp on Friday evening and Saturday morning, with the ground turning "tres souple", which is the equivalent of soft on the GoingStick, before Sunday's Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (3.05). 

Here are some horses in the Arc line-up who could thrive in the easing conditions, plus some contenders who will hope the ground can dry out before the big race.

• Longchamp hit with heavy shower but conditions expected to remain soft for Arc day  

Who could rain benefit?

Aventure is the second-favourite behind Minnie Hauk and the rain could help this top-class filly as she bids to avenge her defeat in the race a year ago. 

The Christophe Ferland-trained four-year-old found only Bluestocking too good last year on ground described as very soft and she also has a Group 2 win on soft ground next to her name, as well as a Group 3 success on heavy.

Ease in the going will be music to Juddmonte and Andrew Balding's ears for Britain's leading hope Kalpana. The four-year-old has proved she is ground versatile, but her Group 1 win in last year's British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes came on soft.

Kalpana: leading British hope in the ArcCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Los Angeles may be Aidan O'Brien's second string, but he ran a fine race when third in last year's testing Arc. He also won the Criterium de Saint-Cloud on very soft ground two years ago.

Rank outsider Hotazhell has a lot to find on his rivals but rain may give him an edge as his Group 1 Futurity Trophy win last year came on soft, while fellow Irish contender White Birch should also benefit.

• 'The more rain the better' - team behind 40-1 Arc outsider thrilled about potential downpours at Longchamp 

And who could be hindered?

Team Japan will not be as pleased to see the rain falling as it could hamper the chances of two of their main hopes.

There are three Japanese raiders bidding to make history at Longchamp, with Byzantine Dream's big win on the Saudi Cup card this year coming on good to firm. 

His trainer Tomoyasu Sakaguchi said earlier this week: "Of course I believe better ground will suit him better but the going on Prix Foy day is what in Japan we would describe as good to soft and he handled that, as well as the wet turf training tracks in Chantilly. He probably doesn’t want it really heavy, though we can’t be sure." 

Croix Du Nord: Japanese Derby winnerCredit: Masakazu Takahashi

While Japanese Derby hero Croix Du Nord made a successful French start on very soft last time, both of his top-level wins came on quicker ground and he may need that to be seen at his best. Trainer Takashi Saito said: "His last race in the Prix du Prince d’Orange was on pretty soft ground and he ran very well. 

"In the home straight, the runner-up was able to come back at him and that is something to be concerned about. But I am confident he will run well, whatever the conditions." 

Britain's other challenger Giavellotto also needs a sound surface to thrive. His connections have already warned rain will hinder his chances and his win in last year's Hong Kong Vase came on good.

Latest Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe betting

Coral: 7-2 Minnie Hauk, 9-2 Aventure, 9 Sosie, 10 Kalpana, 11 Daryz, 12 Byzantine Dream, Cualificar, 14 Alohi Alii, Croix Du Nord, 16 Gezora, Quisisana, 20 Giavellotto, 25 Leffard, 28 Los Angeles, 33 White Birch, 66 Hotazhell, 100 Arrow Eagle

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