Eagle Top will defend the honour of British older horses when he lines up in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday, as red-hot favourite Treve was eased to odds-against with a number of firms on Thursday.

The John Gosden-trained Eagle Top earned his place with a terrific effort in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in July when losing out by a nose to Postponed, although he has since been beaten by The Corsican at Newbury on very testing ground.

With Postponed taken out of Europe's premier middle-distance event after changing stables, Eagle Top has been left to represent the older brigade in the raiding party, which includes superstar stablemate Golden Horn.

Hugo Lascelles, racing manager to owner Lady Bamford, said: "Eagle Top is fine. He's taking his chance on the back of a good run in the King George."

Golden Horn is the only other British challenger after Gosden withdrew Irish Derby winner Jack Hobbs at the latest acceptance stage.

As expected, Golden Horn was supplemented by owner Anthony Oppenheimer at a cost of 120,000 euros, on the back of a season that has included victories in the Investec Derby, Coral-Eclipse and Qipco Irish Champion Stakes.

'Momentum' has been the buzzword in recent days in relation to Golden Horn's chance and Paddy Power and Ladbrokes were among those to push Treve out to 11-10 - with the expectation she could get bigger in the market still as the ground dries in Paris.

Ladbrokes' David Williams said: "Support for Treve has dried up as quickly as the Longchamp turf. She's now odds-against and likely to drift again between now and Sunday afternoon."

Paddy Power said: "Connections of Treve seem to be extremely bullish, but at the moment we are delighted to be top price about the wonder mare, especially with the momentum that has been building around Golden Horn all week long."

Also supplemented were Shahah, as a pacemaker for the hat-trick-seeking Treve, and Spiritjim. That means a field of 18 is likely, with the only other defector being Freddy Head's Migwar.

The three Irish contenders are the fillies Found and Tapestry from Aidan O'Brien's Ballydoyle yard and Dermot Weld's Free Eagle.

Heading the home team, along with Treve, are Andre Fabre's French Derby winner New Bay and stablemate Flintshire.

Dolniya, Erupt and Prince Gibraltar are others in the mix.

[www.britishhorseracing.com] Photograph - Courtesy - www.britishhorseracing.com