Duke to challenge for Longchamp prize

Racing : A total of 23 horses, including Zarkava and Duke Of Marmalade, have stood their ground for Sunday's Qatar Prix de l…

Racing: A total of 23 horses, including Zarkava and Duke Of Marmalade, have stood their ground for Sunday's Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp. The most prestigious race in the European racing calendar, it now carries a €4 million prize fund making it the richest race in the world on turf.

Alain de Royer-Dupre's Zarkava will attempt to extend her unbeaten record to seven and become the first filly since Urban Sea in 1993 to win the race.

Her most formidable opposition is likely to come from Ballydoyle with Aidan O'Brien looking to follow up Dylan Thomas' victory of 12 months ago with five-time Group One winner Duke Of Marmalade and Soldier Of Fortune. The Coolmore battalion have also left in Septimus, Song Of Hiawatha, Red Rock Canyon, King Of Rome and King Of Westphalia.

French Derby winner Vision D'Etat retained his unbeaten record in the Prix Niel last time and will attempt to put his trainer Eric Libaud firmly on the map.

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Youmzain was viewed as an unfortunate loser by many last year when he flashed home to take second and will have the assistance of Richard Hills in the saddle this year.

Michael Stoute's duo of Papal Bull and Ask remain as does Andre Fabre's Getaway.

Japan's Meisho Samson is still a possible and while Curlin remains among the entries, he has just been transferred to Santa Anita to prepare for a possible Breeders' Cup run.

Yeats could clash with Francois Doumen's smart dual-purpose performer Kasbah Bliss in Saturday's Prix du Cadran.

O'Brien's star stayer won an historic third Ascot Gold Cup in June and followed up in more impressive style at Goodwood. However, his last defeat came in the corresponding race 12 months ago when he could finish only third.

O'Brien has also left in his Melbourne Cup possibles Septimus and Honolulu in the two-and-a-half-mile event.

Kasbah Bliss, who finished second in the World Hurdle, appears to have had his jumping career postponed for the time being after an emphatic six-length success at Group Three level last time.

Last year's German winner Le Miracle is entered again along with John Queally's smart hurdler Al Eile.