Posidonas became a lively outsider for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe with a battling victory in the listed Doubleprint Arc Trial at Newbury yesterday afternoon.

Paul Cole's five-year-old got the better of final-furlong battle with Arabian Story and King George winner Swain to score by a short head under a great ride from Richard Quinn.

"He will definitely go for the Arc now as another furlong and soft ground will be just the job for him and his owner Athos Christodoulou is keen for him to run there," beamed Cole.

"Don't forget he beat Singspiel in the Princess of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket last year, giving him 5lb, so he deserves to take his chance." The winner who is a best-priced 33 to 1 with William Hill for the Paris showpiece.

Frankie Dettori was far from disappointed with Swain, who was beaten another short head in third, and said: "He just got a bit tired in the last furlong but that was a good trial for the Arc."

Arabian Story is still a possible for the Melbourne Cup according to trainer Lord Huntingdon, but Clerkenwell, who has been well backed for the big Australian race, was disappointing, finishing last of the five runners.

However, Sheikh Mohammed's racing manager Anthony Stroud was far from downbeat, saying: "He's still a possible for the race as he had a corn only two days ago and could run in the Cumberland Lodge at Ascot next week."

John Gosden nominated the Diadem Stakes at the Ascot Festival next week for Russian Revival, who impressively took the Listed Dubai Duty Free Cup on his debut for the Newmarket trainer.

Formerly handled by Peter Chapple-Hyam and Saeed bin Suroor, the Nureyev colt was always moving well before beating Hidden Meadow comfortably in the hands of Frankie Dettori.

Keeneland's September yearling sale ended on Wednesday night with new records for total sales, average price and highest price paid for both a colt and for a filly.Sales-topping filly, a $950,000 daughter of Danzig, was bought on behalf of John Magnier and Michael Tabor.