A FINAL decision has yet to be taken over the Arc participation of Classic Cliche after the colt cantered yesterday morning.
It was widely anticipated that the Saeed bin Suroor trained four year old would miss Sunday's big race but Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford said yesterday: "Classic Cliche cantered this morning but no decision has been made on whether he runs. As soon as a decision is made we will make an announcement."
Should the colt, who missed a gallop on Sunday after looking dull in his coat, be pulled out before Sunday, last year's successful jockey Frankie Dettori will be left searching for a mount in the European showpiece.
Arc de Triomphe favourite, Helissio, came through his final piece of work at Chantilly in good style yesterday morning.
The dual Group One winner was put through his paces over 10 furlongs under Olivier Peslier, who was not hard on his mount once the Elie Lellouche charge had drawn ups ides the leaders.
Peslier said: "Helissio gave me a goodfeel and was very relaxed." Helissio, beaten just once in his career when becoming unsettled in the French Derby, has gained his biggest wins in the Prix Lupin and the Grand Prix de Saint Cloud.
After the latter win in July, the Spanish owned colt was given a break and successfully reappeared in the Group Two Prix Niel at Longchamp earlier this month.
Trained especially with the Arc in mind, Helissio took the Niel in good style from Darazari, another of his rivals on Sunday.
Bookmakers who originally omitted Classic Cliche from their latest betting on Sunday's race, reinstated the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes runner up following yesterday's news.
Ladbrokes go 6 to 1 with a run, with spokesman Ian Wassell saying: "Given the doubts about Frankie's ride for Sunday's big race, the fairest thing to do is to offer Classic Cliche `with a run'.
. Frankie Dettori partnered Sabina, owned by the Queen in the opening Tormarton Maiden and the pair made every yard of the running to dispose of Tigrello, leaving the rider perched on the 99 winner mark for the season.
Pat Eddery, who had a rear view of Dettori on three occasions when runner up on Saturday, gained some revenge when he launched Ali Royal past the Italian's mount Nijo for an easy 12 length call in the Morris Dancer Conditions Stakes.
Victory for the Henry Cecil trained colt means the Newmarket handler is now marginally back in front of his arch rival Saeed bin Suroor in their battle for the trainers' title which is based on prize money.
