Aidan O’Brien says Duke Of Marmalade and Soldier Of Fortune are both on target for Sunday’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.

The Duke - a five-time Group One winner this season - has an alternative engagement at Dundalk on Friday night.

But if the weather holds it looks like he’s set to join his stablemate in the Paris showpiece on Sunday.

O’Brien told The Racing Post: “The plan remains the same. Soldier Of Fortune and Duke Of Marmalade are being aimed at the Arc.

“We entered Duke Of Marmalade for the Dundalk race just in case the ground comes up soft at Longchamp later this week.”

O’Brien also has a strong team for the other big races on a mouthwatering weeekend of action in France.

He added: “Halfway To Heaven and You’resothrilling are likely to go for the Prix de l’Opera, Yeats will run in the Prix du Cadran while either Mastercraftsman or Rip Van Winkle will go for the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere.

“Astronomer Royal and US Ranger may go for the Prix de la Foret, while Abraham Lincoln is a possible for the Prix de l’Abbaye.”
(Source: Sporting Life)