The home defence for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe has moved sharply into focus following the news that Aventure and Sosie, who finished second and fourth respectively last season, will have their key warm-ups at the revamped Arc trials day a week on Sunday.

However, John Gosden confirmed on Tuesday that Europe’s middle-distance championship is off the agenda for Prince of Wales’s Stakes and Juddmonte International winner Ombudsman, who he told the Racing Post will “stick to a mile and a quarter”.  

With impressive Deauville winner Damysus set to stay at ten furlongs as well, Gosden said he and son Thady were unlikely to field a runner in the €5 million showpiece at Longchamp on October 5. 

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