Dylan on the Slide As Rain Pelts Paris

With Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe looking increasingly likely to be run on soft ground, Dylan Thomas was friendless in the betting yesterday. Bookmakers took the view that Soldier Of Fortune was more likely to represent the Aidan O'Brien stable, and Hill's pushed Dylan Thomas out to 7-1 from 5-1, at the same time shortening the favorite Authorized to 5-4.

Long champ has taken a soaking in recent days and yesterday the penetrometer reading was 3.7 - 3.8, which equates to "very soft". Dylan Thomas is known to be Kieren Fallon's preferred mount, but has a preference for good ground.

The 11-4 second favourite with Hill's, Soldier Of Fortune ran away with the Irish Derby on soft ground after finishing fifth behind Authorized at Epsom. Both Dylan Thomas and Soldier Of Fortune will stand their ground at today's forfeit stage for the Arc, but it appears unlikely these two high-profile Cool more horses will be asked to race against each other.

Soldier Of Fortune had Zambezi Sun back in third spot when winning the Prix Niel over the Arc course and distance last time but the latter's trainer, Pascal Bary, is relishing a rematch.

Like O'Brien, Bary has never won the Arc but he is convinced he has the right horse for the race. "Zambezi Sun worked well on Saturday morning and I think he has improved greatly since the Prix Niel," said Bary yesterday. "He will not do much between now and the Arc. He's in good form and things should be in his favour in Paris." Zambezi Sun is 9-2 with Hill's.

Bary also reported his useful filly Natagora to be in good shape for Friday's Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket. Second to Myboycharlie in the Prix Morny last time out, Natagora "goes there with a good chance" according to her trainer.

Betting on Saturday's Cambridge shire Handicap, in which 68 were confirmed at yesterday's declaration stage, is dominated by the John Gosden stable. Pipe dreamer is 5-1 favorite with Ladbrokes, while stable companion Escape Route is 8-1 co-second favorite with Monte Alto and The Illies. Gosden can also call on Ekhtiaar and the stable is just 3-1 to train the winner with the Cambridge shire's sponsors Tote sport.

"All our runners are fine, but Ekhtiaar has an alternative engagement on Friday," said Peter Shoe mark, spokesman for the Gosden yard .

"Pipe dreamer bypassed Newbury when the ground was very firm, but conditions should be fine for him on Saturday," added Shoe mark. "He went up 9lb for winning at Good wood, but like Escape Route he is progressive."

Jamie Spencer, who won last year's Cambridge shire on Formal Decree, missed out on a valuable winner yesterday in his battle with Seb Sanders for the jockeys' title. Bath winner Inventor was one of Spencer's four scheduled rides, but bad weather grounded Spencer's flight to the Somerset track.

"Jamie's plane is not in use at present and he was in Darryll Holland's," said Spencer's agent Andrew Sheret. "They got airborne but had to come down because of bad weather." Spencer remains two winners behind Sanders, who had an enforced rest day.

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