Montjeu and Sinndar are on course for a great showdown in the Prix de l`Arc de Triomphe Lucien Barriere after the pair came through their trials in impressive style at Longchamp today.
Bookmakers were fairly impressed with both colts and Montjeu is now a best prize 4-6 with Sinndar at 4-1.
Montjeu produced his usual telling burst of speed to clinch victory in the Prix Foy Gray D`Albion Barriere.
By contrast, Sinndar simply overpowered his rivals storming home by eight lengths in the Prix Niel-Casino D`Enghien-les-Baines Barriere.
Many experts have been insisting Montjeu only need turn up in three weeks` time to win the Arc.
But Sinndar`s trainer John Oxx said: 'Montjeu is a terrific horse and hasn`t been off the bridle this season but he might just be in the Arc!
'We`d have preferred Sinndar to be going for the Arc in a different year to Montjeu but hopefully we can make a race of it with him.'
Sinndar, the winner of the Vodafone Derby, was returned to action for the first time since his triumph in the Budweiser Irish Derby.
He sat on the tail of his pacemaker Raypour before moving to the front with two furlongs to travel.
Johnny Murtagh was able to glance round at his toiling rivals as he allowed Sinndar to coast home and score by eight lengths from Crimson Quest.
'It`s going to take a nice one to catch him now. He gave me an unbelievable feeling of power,' said the jockey.
Oxx said: 'Sinndar surprises me every time he runs. He`s an easy horse to underestimate as he`s so lazy at home.
'He won the Irish Derby by nine lengths but I don`t think he was really suited by the Curragh. It`s his home track and he knows the area too well.'
Oxx confirmed that Raypour is set to act as a pacemaker again the Arc with owner the Aga Khan agreeing to pay a hefty fee to supplement the colt.
Montjeu expunged any lingering doubts over his fitness with a contemptuous dismissal of his three rivals.
Trainer John Hammond had decided to switch the colt to this group two contest rather than tackling yesterday`s Irish Champion Stakes.
'He has had small ankle problems and its good to get that one out of the way,' said Hammond.
'He looks well and is moving well and I`m happy that he will be ready to run his race in the Arc.'
One of Montjeu`s rivals today included his stablemate Stop By to cut out the running until the home straight.
Commander Collins briefly led but Michael Kinane was merely biding his time and Montjeu quickened smoothly to take the lead with a furlong to travel and went on to defeat Crillon by one-and-a-half lengths.
Kinane said: 'Its an adventure every time Montjeu races. He just has a fantastic turn of foot and I`m really looking forward to the Arc, though it is a race where everything needs to go right.'
Kinane went on to collect the biggest prize on the cards, the Prix Vermeille-Normandy Barriere, aboard Volvoretta.
The filly, trained by the French-based Argentinian Carlos Lerner produced a late surge to land the spoils in the Group One contest.
The British runners Love Divine and Melikah were fourth and fifth respectively.
Volvoreta who recorded a faster time than Sinndar is the best price 16-1 for the Arc.
Richard Quinn blamed the fast ground for the eclipse of Love Divine, who is now almost certain to miss the Arc.
Prix de l`Arc de Triomphe betting:
William Hill bet: 4-7 Montjeu (from 4-6), 7-2 Sinndar (from 9/2), 8-1 Samum, 12-1 Volvoreta (from 33/1), 16-1 Daliapour, Egyptband, Holding Court, 25-1 Greek Dance, 33-1 bar.
Ladbrokes bet: 4-7 Montjeu, 4-1 Sinndar, 8-1 Samum, 10-1 Volvereta, 14-1 Egyptband, 16-1 Endless Hall, 20-1 Love Divine, Mutamam, Daliapour, Sobieski, 25-1 Melikah, Greek Dance, Mutafaweq, 33-1 bar.
