Zarkava set to take Arc chance

Star filly Zarkava looks like taking her chance in Sunday afternoon's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp - 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.