Racing: Johnny Murtagh believes Duke Of Marmalade can overcome potentially unsuitable ground in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp this afternoon.
Murtagh had a choice of mounts in Europe's richest race as his boss Aidan O'Brien also runs Soldier Of Fortune, who has been trained specifically for the race.
However the jockey, who has enjoyed a stellar season with O'Brien, admitted it would have been hard to abandon 'The Duke' after already winning five Group Ones together.
Murtagh said: "It's a difficult choice because they are two outstanding horses and I know Aidan has been training Soldier Of Fortune for this race all year."
He added: "Early on in the year he said we could come back again with Soldier for the Arc. Last year he got a little bit squeezed out in the Arc and when I rode him in the Niel I squeezed a little bit too hard so he is coming here fresh.
"The way the ground is at the moment it will definitely suit Soldier Of Fortune, but The Duke can overcome anything, if any horse can pull it out of the bag he will.
"He's won five Group Ones, he's took the same track as Dylan Thomas and he is like him in that he is hardy, he's tough and whatever you throw at him he will take it - you couldn't desert him."
Star filly Zarkava looks like taking her chance in this afternoon's Blue Riband race despite earlier concerns about the rain-softened ground.
Trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre's fears have been tempered by news only one millimetre of overnight rain has fallen on the Paris track after much more had been forecast. The ground is described as good to soft, with Longchamp officials giving a penetrometer reading of 3.3, slightly softer than Saturday's 3.2.
De Royer-Dupre had been worried conditions might be too soft for the Aga Khan's unbeaten three-year-old as there had been plenty of overnight rain at his Chantilly base.
The dual Classic winner has been a strong favourite for Europe's major middle-distance race following her fourth Group One victory in the Prix Vermeille last month.