Japan's Triple Crown winner Orfevre advertised his Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe credentials with victory in the Qatar Prix Foy at Longchamp.

Aventino acted as a pacemaker for the Christophe Soumillon-ridden winner, but he did not go much of a gallop, and Andre Fabre's Meandre and Sir Michael Stoute's Fiorente were both pulling furiously in the early stages, with Joshua Tree sitting just behind the pace.

When Orfevre quickened he soon put the race to bed and Meandre stayed on to take second, with Joshua Tree not beaten far in third.

Soumillon said: "I was very happy with the performance. The pace was a bit slow and he was a bit fresh, but I just wanted to keep track of him on his first time at Longchamp.

"In two strides I got exactly what you need from an Arc de Triomphe horse. Hopefully he can improve a bit as he needs to improve to win an Arc, but the trainer has done a perfect job so far."

William Hill reacted by making Yasutoshi Ikee's star their new 4-1 favourite (from 5-1) for the Arc.

French Derby winner Saonois showed a smart turn of foot to win the Qatar Prix Niel. Jean-Pierre Gauvin's stable star looked to be trapped in on the rails, but deep inside the final furlong a gap appeared on the outside of Kesampour and inside Remus de la Tour, allowing jockey Antoine Hamelin his opportunity.

In a matter of strides Saonois shot clear and comfortably held off the fast-finishing Bayrir. The winning distance was a length and a quarter.

Gauvin, who trains near Lyon, confirmed that his stable star will be supplemented for the Arc at a cost of 100,000 euros.

He said: "He's better over a mile and a half and he was a little free and fresh today, but he showed great acceleration and gets better each time he runs. He will be supplemented for the Arc."