All the big guns still in Arc mix German trainer Andreas Wohler is confident Novellist will strip much fitter in Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe than when winning at Baden Baden last time out. The four-year-old features among 21 horses to stand their ground for the Group One at the first forfeit stage, with the leading ante-post hopes still in the mix. Novellist is unbeaten this season, including three wins at the highest level, but he really sprang to prominence when routing top-class opposition in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot. Next time out in Germany he was nowhere near as impressive in seemingly weaker company, despite it being a Group One, but Wohler was using the race purely as a stepping stone. Man-of-the-moment Johnny Murtagh was on board at Ascot and he will take over in the saddle once more at Longchamp. "The horse is very well and he did his last piece of work yesterday," Wohler told At The Races. "Everything has gone smooth and fine since his last race and hopefully it will for the next couple of days so we are looking forward to Sunday. "He's a different type of horse since Baden Baden. It was a Group One race but we treated it as a prep race. "A single figure draw would be perfect, I don't think anybody would be happy with an outside draw. "Johnny did everything right at Ascot, I spoke to him yesterday and he's really looking forward to it. "He hasn't been to Germany to ride him but we've spoken a couple of times to keep him up to date. "Orfevre couldn't be more impressive in his trial and he's a horse with a lot of class. "We just need a bit of luck, like everybody." Japanese runner Orfevre was denied victory in the dying strides of the race last year and he is primed to try his luck again after running an impressive trial when winning the Prix Foy. He is set to be joined by fellow Japanese contender Kizuna, winner of the Prix Niel for trainer Shozo Sasaki. Just behind Kizuna that day was Aidan O'Brien's Derby winner Ruler Of The World and he is one of four possibles for Ballydoyle. Last year's Derby winner Camelot and Racing Post Trophy winner Kingsbarns also feature while St Leger winner Leading Light is due to be added to the race at Thursday's supplementary stage. Criquette Head- Maarek's Treve is also set to be supplemented at a cost of 100,000 euros following her Prix de Diane and Prix Vermeille victories. Andre Fabre has left in Intello, Flintshire, Ocovango, Pirika and Penglai Pavilion while Al Kazeem, Joshua Tree, The Fugue and Very Nice Name are other possibles.
