Youmzain a familiar Arc raider

Connections of Youmzain are more than hopeful the veteran can better his second place in each of the last three runnings of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe when he returns to Longchamp on Sunday.

The string of near-misses by Mick Channon's stable stalwart began in 2007 when he only found Dylan Thomas too good by a head, while Zarkava got the better of him in 2008 and Sea The Stars proved himself a real champion last year. With no Sea The Stars in the field this time, there is an air of confidence in the Youmzain camp - added to the fact that Richard Hughes, who was in the plate three years ago, has been booked for the ride.

Bruce Raymond, racing manager to Youmzain's owner Jaber Abdullah, said: "Richard is very much looking forward to riding Youmzain and if he were to run as well as he has in any of the last three Arcs we think we can win."

Youmzain is a 16-1 chance to be only the second seven-year-old in history, after Motrico in 1932, to win the Paris showpiece.

Meanwhile. ante-post favourite Nationalism features among 79 remaining entries in the totesport.com Cambridgeshire at Newmarket on Saturday. The three-year-old colt was a hugely impressive winner on his handicap debut at Goodwood at the start of the month and will line up in this weekend's valuable contest under a penalty. The sponsors have cut Nationalism to 4-1 favourite from 5-1.

His trainer John Gosden is bidding to win the prize for the third time in the last four years and he could also saddle High Twelve and Taqleed. Other leading contenders, such as Luca Cumani's Start Right, Barry Hills' recent York winner Ransom Note and Walter Swinburn's hat-trick seeking Absinthe all remain in the reckoning. Shrewd Irish trainer Tony Martin could saddle Pires, while other runners include Proponent and Sarrsar.