Manduro, officially rated the best horse in Europe, could have a new jockey in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe if Zambezi Sun is in the lineup. André Fabre’s five-year-old has struck up a fantastic partnership with Stephane Pasquier and the pair are unbeaten in four starts this year, including three group one races.

However, Pasquier is the retained rider for Prince Khalid Abdulla, owner of the Grand Prix de Paris winner Zambezi Sun, and he would be obliged to ride Pascal Bary’s three-year-old if he runs in the Arc.

“Pasquier is retained by us, not André Fabre. If Zambezi Sun runs in the Arc, Pasquier will ride,” Teddy Grimthorpe, Abdulla’s racing manager, said. “Zambezi Sun is very well and he will run in the Prix Niel at Longchamp on September 16. He will take a near-identical path to Rail Link last year.

“He’s in very good form. He is pleasing Pascal in everything he is doing and he is developing, so we live in hope.”

Coral have Manduro as 4-1 second favourite for the end-of-season showpiece. Full betting: 7-2 Authorized, 4-1 Manduro, 9-2 Zambezi Sun, 6-1 Dylan Thomas, 7-1 Soldier Of Fortune, 14-1 Meisho Samson, Peeping Fawn, 16-1 Saddex, 20-1 Airmail Special, Lawman, Mandesha, Sageburg, Yeats.