Arc hopeful does rain dance

Godolphin's SCHIAPARELLI (Ger) (Monsun), runner-up in the Prix Foy (Fr-G2)

last time out off a lengthy layoff, would benefit for an easing of ground conditions before

Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1), according to his connections. The five-year-old,

a three-time Group 1 winner in Germany over the past two seasons for former owner Stall Blankenese,

returned from an 11-month break in the September 14 Prix Foy over the Arc course

and distance.

"We are waiting for the rain," trainer Saeed Bin Suroor told Racing

Post. "The horse is in good form and worked very well earlier this week, but he

needs softer ground so we will wait and see."

The course at Longchamps was officially described

as good on Wednesday, and rain is forecast in the build up to Europe's richest

race. Four horses were removed from consideration on Wednesday, leaving 19 contenders in advance of

Thursday's supplementary

stage.