Arc possible Raabihah may bypass big race in favour of Prix de Royallieu bid

A decision on whether Raabihah will bolster what is likely to be a small French contingent for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on Sunday week has yet to be finalised, with owner-breeders Shadwell and trainer Jean-Claude Rouget weighing up the alternative of the Group 1 Prix de Royallieu for fillies and mares over a mile and three-quarters on the Saturday of Arc weekend.

A general 20-1 chance for the Arc, Raabihah is the shortest-priced domestic challenger for the 100th running of Europe's richest race, having finished a never-nearer fifth behind stablemate Sottsass 12 months ago on her first attempt at a mile and a half.

Rouget has geared her four-year-old campaign towards the autumn and after three defeats over shorter distances Raabihah – whose second and third dams, Eswarah and Midway Lady, were both Oaks winners – proved her stamina with an impressive success back over a mile and a half in the Group 2 Prix de Pomone at Deauville last month.