ONLY 1,000 people will be permitted to enter ParisLongchamp for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe raceday on Sunday week.

Following a rise in the number of Covid-19 cases in the French capital, the government has reduced the number of spectators allowed at sporting events from 5,000 to 1,000.

France Galop is seeking clarification from the authorities on whether this number includes racehorse owners, racing officials and members of the media.

With some rain expected to fall in Paris on most days next week, soft ground is looking increasingly likely for the Arc.

The ground was soft yesterday at Chantilly, which is less than 40 miles from ParisLongchamp.

The big race is likely to be without Ghaiyyath after Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby confirmed this week that Champions Day at Ascot or a trip to Keeneland for the Breeders’ Cup were more preferable next targets.

The bookmakers have the race as a match between Love and Enable, best priced 13/8 and 9/4 respectively, despite the fact that neither are truly favoured by soft ground.

Enable’s first Arc was won on officially soft ground but a testing surface was one of the reasons given for her defeat in the race last season.

The Arc has been the target all season for Enable, for whom John Gosden decided to sidestep a clash with Love in the Yorkshire Oaks in preference for a softer warm-up run in the September Stakes at Kempton earlier this month. She will bid to become the first ever triple winner of the Arc.

Tarnwa

The Irish Field understands Tarnwa will not be supplemented for the race. Dermot Weld’s Aga Khan filly was an impressive winner of the Prix Vermeille but will only run in the Prix de l’Opera if the ground is not too soft, or instead go to Ascot for Champions Day.

Champion stayer Stradivarius remains on track for the Arc but needs a confirmed rider. Initially Andrea Atzeni was earmarked for the ride by trainer John Gosden but he will not travel due to quarantine restrictions.

Atzeni is contracted to ride for owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum at Dubai Future Champions Day at Newmarket the following weekend, and he would miss this meeting if he rode in Paris.