'He holds some brilliant form' - Marquand excited about Arc dark horse Alenquer

Tom Marquand believes there is a lot more to come from Alenquer, who gives him his first ride in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on Sunday.

The winner of the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot on deep going featured among 14 remaining entries after Monday's first forfeit stage.

Alenquer was also a fine, if distant, second to Mishriff in the Juddmonte International over a rapid mile and a quarter on good ground, meaning trainer William Haggas has no need to watch the weather forecast at Longchamp.

While Adayar and Snowfall are due to be added to Europe's richest race on Wednesday at a cost of €120,000 a head, the participation of several of those still in the line-up is yet to be decided, with the Raabihah, Teona and Bubble Gift camps all yet to come down one way or the other.

"I'm massively looking forward to it," said Marquand about his Arc debut. "He's a horse who hasn't been seen to his full potential yet. He's been second in a Juddmonte and won at Royal Ascot, so he holds some brilliant form.

Alenquer (starred cap) claims the scalp of Adayar (red cap) in the bet365 Classic Trial at Sandown in AprilCredit: Edward Whitaker

"But knocking in against those superstars who take centre stage, he is probably coming in under the radar to some extent."

Marquand added: "I'm really looking forward to seeing him back over a mile and a half and fingers crossed things fall our way and we can get a good gate. Every inch can make the difference."

Marquand is hopeful Alenquer can prove himself better than a third-placed effort over course and distance behind Hurricane Lane in the Grand Prix de Paris, a race in which James Doyle's options were limited by an outside draw.

"It was a really solid run in France and we all know Longchamp is tough from an awkward gate," said Marquand. "Hurricane Lane is obviously one of the best middle-distance horses in Europe and he will be extremely hard to beat. But with a clean shot you’d like to think we’ll give him a better race.

"He's extremely versatile and I don't think the ground really matters to him, it's more a case of what might inconvenience the rest of the field that could make the difference."

Despite grey skies over Paris for much of Monday the ground was officially described as good to soft at the start of Arc week following just 3mm of rain from Sunday into Monday, with the TurfTrax GoingStick measuring 7.3 or good, good to soft in places.

3.05 Longchamp Sunday: Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe racecard

While there were more showers around on Monday, the outlook is mainly dry until Friday, beyond which there is little consensus among forecasters as to how much rainfall may arrive at the weekend.

With Snowfall waiting in the wings, Aidan O'Brien cut his original entry to two in the shape of Love and Broome, who are due to be ridden by Frankie Dettori and Yutaka Take.

Star fillies Tarnawa and Teona both feature, as do St Leger principals Hurricane Lane and Mojo Star, who also has options at Ascot on Friday and Longchamp on Saturday.

Hurricane Lane: is on course for Sunday's Arc, in which he will be ridden by James DoyleCredit: Edward Whitaker

Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Longchamp, October 3)

Ladbrokes: 5-2 Tarnawa, 11-4 Adayar, 5 Hurricane Lane, Snowfall, 9 Chrono Genesis, 14 Teona, 20 Alenquer, Deep Bond, Love, 25 Raabihah, Sealiway, 40 Mojo Star, 50 Baby Rider, Broome, Bubble Gift, Torquator Tasso.

Arc field: first forfeits

Torquator Tasso (GER)
Deep Bond (JPN)
Broome (IRE)
Tarnawa (IRE)
Love (IRE)
Raabihah (FR)
Chrono Genesis (JPN)
Mojo Star (GB)
Baby Rider (FR)
Hurricane Lane (GB)
Sealiway (FR)
Alenquer (GB)
Bubble Gift (FR)
Teona (GB)

To be supplemented

Adayar (GB)
Snowfall (IRE)

Read more on the 2021 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe:

Adayar v Hurricane Lane: our experts disagree on who is the better Arc candidate

'We have two going to the Arc in great shape' – Hurricane Lane to join Adayar

'There's no chink in her armour' – Oisin Murphy sweet on Chrono Genesis Arc bid (Members' Club)

No home Arc challenge? Bubble Gift could be the one to burst that illusion

Dettori gets Arc call-up on Love as O'Brien talks up 'class' filly Snowfall (Members' Club)

The Front Runner is our latest email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a three-time Racing Reporter of the Year award winner, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday