Arc contenders eye rivals and Paris skies

Connections of Danedream will study the likely opposition before deciding whether to supplement the progressive three-year-old filly for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday.

Trainer Peter Schiergen and owners Gestut Berg Eberstein have until Thursday to make up their minds.

On Tuesday they can also look at the horses left in the big race at the latest forfeit stage.

Danedream has lifted Group One races in her last two starts in her native Germany, the latest being a six-length demolition job in the Grosser Preis Von Baden at Baden-Baden.

"We will see the entries and I will speak with the owner, then we can make the decision," said Schiergen.

"I am very happy with the filly. She is working well in the mornings.

"We will see how many runners are entered and then we will see."

Danedream's potential opposition is likely to be determined by the state of the ground.

Trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre, responsible for ante-post favourite Sarafina, says the going can change dramatically at Longchamp.

"Sarafina can go on all grounds. That is important as we never know what kind of ground we are going to have in Longchamp," he told At The Races.

"It can turn very quickly and go can go from firm, to sticky, to soft.

"Good ground is best - not too firm and not too soft. If it's soft she can be competitive, if it is firm, the same."

John Gosden accepts the week-long forecast for Paris could prevent Nathaniel from taking his chance if the ground is too quick.

Gosden is also due to make a decision on his participation on Thursday, with the colt likely to be rerouted to Ascot on 15 October for the Qipco Champion Stakes if the arid outlook is correct.

"The horse is in good form," Gosden told the Independent.

"He worked nicely on Thursday morning at Newbury, but the key factor for a lot of us is the weather.

"If the ground is on the fast side there he won't run.

"But we do still have the Qipco Champions Stakes.

"It's just one of those odd years when the ground looks like being fast for the Arc."

Frankie Dettori has ridden in the last 23 Arcs but with Godolphin likely to have no runner this year, he is pinning his hopes on Snow Fairy being confirmed as he seeks a fourth win in the big race.

However, the four-year-old filly's trainer Ed Dunlop is another interested party monitoring the weather.

"Obviously, Snow Fairy wants the ground to stay fast, and she will work midweek and we'll take it from there," the Newmarket handler told his official website.

Dettori's agent, former jockey Ray Cochrane, has his fingers crossed Snow Fairy gets the nod.

"I'm hoping it's going to be Snow Fairy. I suppose Ed will be keeping a close eye on the ground," said Cochrane.

"Frankie will be hoping she runs, that's what we are looking for. "She's a good ride - it would do me.

"You never know this time of year what happens with the weather, but it's certainly going in her direction at the minute."