Alain de Royer-Dupre has moved to allay fears that Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe favourite Zarkava might not line up in Sunday afternoon's world turf championship by insisting that "in principle she runs".

On Sunday morning, The French handler told BBC Radio Five Live: "It's terrible weather and they've had rain overnight.

"It's going to be very, very soft."

And when asked if she could miss the race, he said: "You have to take the decision - if it's too much, it's impossible."

However, De Royer-Dupre, reassured by the news that only 1mm of rain fell on Longchamp overnight, has since told the Racing Post that Zarkava - who on Sunday morning drifted to 5-2 having started the day as short as 7-4 - will bid for Arc glory providing nothing unforeseen happens between now and race time.

He said: "It is not true to say that she does not run. In principle, she will run in the Arc. We had a lot of rain at Chantilly last night but apparently not in Paris."

Longchamp officials on Sunday lunchtime reported a slightly softer going than on Saturday.

Leading French trainer said: "The ground is good to soft and there is a lot of grass on the course."

OddsPreview.com's Tip of the Day, Youmzain, also runs.