A small field is looking increasingly likely for this year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday.

There were only 10 runners last year when the race was billed as a match between Montjeu and Sinndar. In the event Montjeu disappointed with Sinndar a brilliant winner in front of Egyptband.

Last year's winning rider Johnny Murtagh reckons that Egyptband won't have anything as good as Sinndar to encounter this year and that she could win this year's renewal of Europe's greatest all-aged middle distance race.

Speaking from Ascot on Saturday where he rode Nice One Clare to win a 1200 metres handicap, Murtagh said: "Whether I get a ride in the race or not I reckon that Egyptband is underestimated and has serious chances. I also have maximum respect for Sakhee and definitely think that one of those two will win."

Egyptband has not raced since early July, suffering from a leg problem. However she collected some superlative comments from her trainer Criquette Head-Mareek and jockey Olivier Doleuze after a private gallop last week.

"She seems in splendid form and I am not too worried about the break. When she won the Prix de Diane Hermes (French Oaks) last year, she had not run for three months. Without Galileo in the field it looks an open race and I like her chances." "She has a beautiful action. I love this filly,"said jockey Doleuze.

Meanwhile Sakhee has been confirmed a runner after owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum saw the four-year-old work at Newmarket on Saturday.

Sakhee's seven length defeat of Grandera at York in August was the best performance seen in Europe this year according to official ratings.

Interestingly, however, Sheikh Hamdan continued to insist that the Champion Stakes at Newmarket 13 days after the Arc was still Sakhee's main target. He also said that very soft ground could rule him out of the Arc.

Frankie Dettori, Sakhee's jockey, will be hoping for better things in the Arc than from Ascot last Saturday. Exactly five years after achieving his "Magnificent Seven" when riding all seven winners at accumulative odds of 25,095-1, Dettori failed to get a single winner. Partnering hot favourite Noverre in the featured Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, Dettori was beaten by 33-1 stable companion Summoner, a supposed pacemaker.

Dettori remains resolutely optimistic, however, about following up on his Arc win on Lammtarra in 1995. "Whatever beats Sakhee will win," repeated the popular Italian-born jockey at Ascot.

Meanwhile preparations are going well for recent Prix Niel winner Golan, though his jockey Kieren Fallon is desperately hoping for a low number in the barrier draw. Described as "notoriously lazy" by trainer Sir Michael Stoute, Fallon is concerned that unless Golan is able to get a good early position, he might lose interest.

Fallon says: "He is an Arc horse without a doubt, but I would be very worried by a high numbered draw even in a small field.".

Favourites Win Arc Trials at Longchamp but Sakhee and Milan Dominate the Headlines

The favourite won each of the three Arc trials at Longchamp, but it is two other contenders that are making most of the headlines as we approach Europe's great middle distance race on 7 October.

Indeed, bookmakers have promoted Sakhee to favouritism at around 2-1 despite the fact that he is not yet certain to run. Last year's Epsom Derby second missed a year through injury but two wins since his return have marked him out as a potential champion, notably with a 7 lengths demolition of his rivals in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York in August.

Now based with trainer Saeed Bin Suroor's Godolphin operation at Newmarket, he is owned by Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum whose original preferred option was the shorter Champion Stakes on 20 October.

However, if recent pronouncements of Godolphin representatives are to be taken seriously Sakhee will not only run but also win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

"He worked fantastic," and "he is the one they will all have to beat," were two of the comments from a beaming Frankie Dettori after a sensational gallop at Newmarket last Saturday.

Then there is the Aidan O'Brien-trained Milan, who won the St Leger at Doncaster earlier this month. Trapped on the rails, he still managed to surge to a runaway 6 lengths victory under jockey Michael Kinane.

The St Leger is over 500 metres longer than the Arc and St Leger winners traditionally have a poor record when trying to win in Paris as well. However, so stylishly did Milan win that owner Michael Tabor immediately announced that to be his target.

And what about the three Arc trials themselves, all run on September 16th over the course and distance of the big race.

Golan, well beaten by Galileo (who misses the Arc in favour of the Breeders' Cup Classic) in both the English and Irish Derbies, began to regain the reputation earned by his brilliant 2000 Guineas victory at Newmarket back in May when winning the Prix Niel in workmanlike style under his Arc rider Kieren Fallon.

The Niel, restricted to three-year-olds, has proved a much better Arc guide than the Prix Foy ¡V for older horses ¡V and Hightori was not especially impressive when winning that race. At this stage he would seem unlikely to give Gerald Mosse a terrific finale before leaving for Hong Kong.

In the Prix Vermeille - for fillies - Aquarelliste narrowly retained her unbeaten record under regular rider Dominique Boeuf. Her trainer Elie Lellouche insists that she will be much sharper on the big day, and the fact that her owner Daniel Wildenstein has compared her to Allez France ¡V one of the best fillies seen in Europe in recent decades ¡V adds to her appeal.