Good ground predicted - as is a major Japanese punt on Makahiki

The ground
A heavy shower before yesterday's last race fractionally eased the ground but underfoot conditions are still forecast to be around good for today's Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Speaking prior to the rain, Harzand's rider Pat Smullen said: "It's slower than good and slower than it walked, so if we have that ground tomorrow I'll be happy."

Clerk of the course Mathieu Vincent, who has opened up a 12-metre strip across the whole Arc course, said: "I would estimate we've had no more than a millimetre in that shower.