Treve© Photo Healy Racing
Connections of Treve were pleased to see some rain fall in Paris in Monday ahead of her bid to retain her Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe crown at Longchamp on Sunday.
The Criquette Head-Maarek-trained filly was an impressive winner of Europe's premier middle-distance prize last October, but has had her fair share of problems since then and has yet to hit the heights in any of her three starts this year.
However, she is reported to have done everything right since her latest run in the Prix Vermeille, when she was fourth to Baltic Baroness.
"Treve is in good form. They had rain in Paris today, so the more of that the better as far as making it good or on the easier side of good, which would suit her best," said Harry Herbert, manager to owners Al Shaqab Racing.
"They have had a little bit of rain and it all helps, but Criquette reports her to be very well and fingers crossed we're nearly there.
"There's no way I've lost faith in her. If she gets her ground and she will have needed the run last time as well - hopefully she will go to the Arc spot on."
Al Shaqab have an equally strong contender as part-owners in the Elie Lellouche-trained Ectot, who burst into the picture with a smart performance to win the Prix Niel on his first try at a mile and a half after a five-month lay-off.
"Ectot worked this morning and did it very nicely. It was his last gentle piece before the weekend," said Herbert.
" I thought it was a bold move to run him over a mile and a half by Elie first time after a lay-off. It said a lot about the horse. He was very impressive and will come on a lot for that run, obviously, match-fitness wise. He showed a terrific turn of foot. I was impressed."
Two top jockeys still seeking rides in the Longchamp showpiece are Olivier Peslier and Gerald Mosse. Despite having won Europe's premier race four times, most recently with Solemia two years ago, Peslier remains in limbo. As does the vastly experienced Mosse, who claimed the Arc in 1990 with the Nicolas Clement-trained Saumarez.
Shippy Ellis, the British-based agent for the two jockeys, said: "Both Olivier and Mosse are available at this stage. It's an unusual situation they are both in, but we're hoping we'll get them fixed up in the next few days."
Ellis confirmed that fellow client Stephane Pasquier, who won the Arc with Rail Link in 2006, has been pencilled in to ride the Pascal Bary-trained Spiritjim in the coveted Group One.
Connections of German challenger Ivanhowe issued a positive bulletin about the well-being of the four-year-old colt, who arrived in France last week. The son of Soldier Hollow claimed the not inconsiderable scalp of Sea The Moon at Baden-Baden earlier this month when he surged three lengths clear in the Grosser Preis von Baden.
Trainer Jean-Pierre Carvalho said: "The horse arrived in France on Friday and he is very well. He will have a little workout on Tuesday, but nothing too much as the race is getting closer and closer."
