All eyes on Arod after solow performance

Qatar Racing's four-year-old has the form in the book, and he also has a favourable draw after being given stall five. Now he has to beat 13 rivals, including two other European challengers, Gailo Chop (Antoine De Watrigant) and Highland Reel (Aidan O'Brien).

The Peter Chapple-Hyam trained colt left Britain on October 9 and had a smooth flight to the other side of the globe. Big-race jockey Craig Williams cantered him on Saturday, and again today (Wednesday).

Geoffrey Faber, Qatar Racing's Australia representative, said: "I had a chat with Craig before the draw and we agreed in an ideal world we would want barrier five with [the Mick Burles-trained] The Cleaner drawn inside us [in stall 2]. We could not be happier, we could not have written the script better.

"He arrived super fit, and the Solow form is the best in Europe."

Solow's emphatic victory in Saturday's Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes sponsored by QIPCO has boosted hopes for Arod - he finished just half a length behind Solow in Goodwood's Gr.1 Qatar Sussex Stakes in July (pictured), one of the few occasions the great French horse has worked hard this season. Solow has won 12 of his last 13 races, including the five most recent at Group One level.

Saturday's big race is due off at 17.40 local time, and 07.40 UK time.