John Gosden: it's very soft and Enable's stamina will be tested in the Arc

If Enable is to win a historic third Arc she will likely have to do so on the softest ground she has encountered after jockeys who rode in the first race described the going as a mixture of soft and heavy.

Enable's first Arc at Chantilly was won on ground officially given as soft but the ground at Longchamp is very soft, with an unchanged penetrometer reading of 4.1.

The forecast rain for Sunday morning failed to amount to much, with just 0.8mm having fallen up to 1pm, but that did not stop the jockeys who rode in the first reaching for the bottom-end descriptions.

Mickael Barzalona and Maxime Guyon, two of the best riders in France, described the ground as "very soft" and "heavy", while Shane Foley, who won the opener aboard the Jessica Harrington-trained Albigna, said: "It's riding very soft. It's heavy going out there but my filly enjoyed it, she's a talented filly.

"I rode here yesterday and I'm glad the rain came as I was worried it could get tacky. It's testing out there and they need to handle it, but my filly did."

John Gosden described the ground as very soft on route to saddling Enable.

Gosden told Sky Sports Racing: "It's very soft out there and they have had a lot of rain.

"She has the ability to hit another gear in the closing stages but that will be difficult in this ground and there will be more of an emphasis on stamina. It is the same for everyone though."

In the morning the betting was reported as 'one-way traffic' by William Hill with punters backing Enable to record a history-making third victory in the race (3.05) shown live on ITV and Sky Sports Racing.

However, Donnacha O'Brien's mount Magical is a three-time top-level winner and has been shortened to a best price 10-1 (from 12), although the filly is 8-1 (from 11) with Sky Bet.

Enable's price has remained steady at around 4-6 and her jockey Frankie Dettori is not concerned about the underfoot conditions. She is a best price 8-11 with Betfred.

Dettori said on Saturday: "She copes with this ground. She won the King George and Breeders' Cup Turf on soft ground. We're also racing on a different track tomorrow and I don't think you can compare it to the track we're on today."

Coral are offering 8-13 about Enable, while Magical is 10-1 (from 12) with the firm.

Spokesman David Stevens said: "8-13 is not a working man's price but people are backing Enable and will be cheering her on to make history. Magical sets the benchmark and shows just how great Enable is. She has been supported as an alternative to the favourite."

Aidan O'Brien issued a positive update on his Arc contenders after watching talented juvenile Armory finish third in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere.

Magical's stablemate Japan, the mount of Ryan Moore, is second favourite at 13-2.

"We're very happy with them," said O'Brien. "Everything has gone well for Japan and this race was mapped out for Magical last season.

"She didn't get into a battle with Enable at the beginning of her autumn campaign in the Yorkshire Oaks and was sharpened up by Leopardstown."

Prix du Jockey Club winner Sottsass has drifted to 9-1 (from 15-2) with bet365, while fellow French challenger Waldgeist has won twice on soft ground and has been shortened to 14-1 (from 20) by Unibet.

Punters are backing against Battaash in the Prix de l'Abbaye (4.30) with testing conditions in mind and Spinning Memories has been cut to 8-1 (from 12) with bet365.

She tries the minimum distance for the first time but is a heavy ground winner and as short as 7-1, while Battaash heads the betting at 5-6.

In the Qatar Prix de la Foret (5.05), punters are siding with another horse who won at Longchamp 12 months ago.

Market positives

3.05 Magical 10 (from 12)
4.30 Spinning Memories 8 (from 12)
5.05 One Master 7-2 (from 11-2), Glorious Journey 9 (from 12)

The William Haggas-trained One Master has been backed into 7-2 (from 11-2). She landed the 7f event by a short-head last year and is vying for favouritism with City Light.

Longchamp: the stands are slowly beginning to fill on Arc day

City Light, successful on his last two starts in lesser company, has drifted to 10-3 (from 9-4) with concerns over the combination of the trip and testing ground.

Market negatives

4.30 Mabs Cross 10 (from 8)
5.05 City Light 10-3 (from 9-4), Sir Dancealot 14 (from 8)

One horse who will be suited by the ease in conditions in the Foret is Glorious Journey, successful in the Hungerford on soft ground at Newbury last time. He has been backed into 9-1 (from 12).

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