Marienbard works well

Godolphin may have been somewhat quiet the last couple of weeks but Arc de Triomphe contender Marienbard brightened the mood in the camp with a smart display of galloping on the Al Bahathri Polytrack yesterday.

It was the five-year-old son of Caerleon's final piece of work before he travels to France to contest Sunday's prestigious Group One contest at Longchamp worth a cool £560,883 to the winner.

A dual Group 1 winner in Germany this season Marienbard went five furlongs with stablemate Spring Oak and prompted trainer Saeed bin Suroor to say: "Marienbard worked really well and is at the top of his form. He is ready to run in the Arc and everything is right for him. I am really pleased."

Sporting his regular visor, Marienbard stretched out well with the filly Spring Oak, who finished just ahead as the pair were not asked to do anything special.

Commenting on his ward's chances and the way he hoped the mile and a half race would pan out Suroor said: "There are some good horses in the Arc and I hope the ground remains as it is as he doesn't want soft or heavy going.

"Marienbard likes to sit behind, nice and relaxed, in his races. He has improved a lot this year, winning a Group Two and then two Group Ones."

Simon Crisford, Godolphin's racing manager told the Racing Post: "Everything is fine with Marienbard and we are happy with him - he definitely runs."

The Godolphin five-year-old has offered glimpses of his ability by winning three of his last four starts since finishing fourth to Nayef in the Dubai Sheema Classic in March.

He began his European campaign on a winning note when finishing a neck ahead of Millenary in the Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket in May. In his subsequent outing, the Coronation Cup at Epsom, he managed only fourth place to German runner Boreal after being taken several horses wide off the rail by stablemate Kutub.

Earlier this week Dettori spoke highly of the horse when he told the Post: "Marienbard is flying. Some of these horses can surprise you as they get older. They get better and better, and then after they win a couple of races, they improve even more.

"I got lapped in the Gold Cup last year on Marienbard. Now I'm thinking that if any of the big guns aren't up to their very best in the Arc, I'm going to be thereabouts.

"It could be a year when they're all on top of each other, and although Marienbard's not a Sakhee, I wouldn't want to swap him for anything else."

Marienbard was among 24 acceptors for Sunday's showpiece rac won last year in fantastic style by Godolphin's Sakhee.

Although top Irish contender High Chaparral's participation is still not confirmed favourite Sulamani, Manhattan Cafe, Aquarelliste, Anabaa Blue, Ana Marie, Falbrav, Asian Heights and Boreal all look definite runners.

The presence of several other possibles, including Marcu Tregoning's Juddmonte International star Nayef, depends on the ground.

There is no rain forecast for the next eight days and clerk of the course Gerard Grandchamp has confirmed that he will water the track today. Its current condition is good to soft.