Japanese ace Clincher ready to get in the fight as Longchamp card takes shape

Japanese trainers have sent candidates with more obvious profiles for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, but trainer Hiroshi Miyamoto said on Wednesday he believes Clincher will be well-suited to the challenge.

Yutaka Take was aboard as the four-year-old son of Deep Sky – who is yet to win at Group 1 level – as he went through his final rehearsal ahead of Sunday's Prix Foy.

Staying in the slipstream of a work companion for most of his progress up Chantilly's straight Reservoirs gallop, Clincher showed nice acceleration at the end of the work.

The four-year-old has not run since finishing a closeup third in May's Grade One Tenno Sho over two miles, but has plenty of more conventional middle-distance form.

"He's a horse that runs very well fresh, but he tends to get better with racing and so the second run will be better than the first and a third is best of all," said Miyamoto. "The owner was very keen and he called me straight after the end of the Tenno Sho and to say we're going for the Arc."

Yutaka Take was on the gallop to work Japan's Arc hopeful Clincher ahead of the Prix FoyCredit: Racing Post / Scott Burton

Five potential rivals remained in the Foy after Wednesday's forfeit stage, with Andre Fabre accounting for half the field thanks to Waldgeist, Talismanic and Cloth Of Stars.

Last year's St Leger winner Capri – who has not been seen out since winning the Alleged Stakes on his return to action in April – also remains in contention alongside Way To Paris.

"I’ve looked at the entry list for the race and there are a lot of very strong horses we could be running against," said Miyamoto. "I know the main objective is the Arc, but I want him to run well this weekend nonetheless."

14 fillies and mares are still engaged in the Qatar Prix Vermeille, though that number is certain to come down with the news that Lah Ti Dar will run in the William Hill St Leger 24 hours earlier.

Magic Wand is one of 14 fillies and mares still engaged in the Group 1 Qatar Prix VermeilleCredit: Caroline Norris

Ribblesdale Stakes winner Magic Wand is among three possibles for Aidan O'Brien, while the David Lanigan-trained Worth Waiting also features.

The names of both Loxley and Brundtland appear among 12 remaining entries for the Prix Niel, though Charlie Appleby holds the Leger engagement as well for both.

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