Almanzor will not contest the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Chantilly on Sunday after he was taken out at the second forfeit stage,  reports Racing Post. 

Almanzor's defection does not come as a surprise as the Qipco Champion Stakes, run over ten furlongs at Ascot next month, had been nominated as connections' favoured target.

Speaking on Tuesday, Sylvain Vidal, racing manager to part-owner Gerard Augustin-Normand, said: "We're all in agreement that he will go to England and Jean-Claude [Rouget, trainer] doesn't want to change the programme."

Markus Jooste's The Juliet Rose was also removed from Sunday's Arc, meaning that a total of 17 horses remain in contention.

Betting update

Juddmonte International winner Postponed remains the general 2-1 favourite to win Europe's premier middle-distance race but has been trimmed to 7-4 in places.

The 11-2 available about Makahiki has disappeared, with the Japanese raider now a top price of 5-1, while Found, who finished runner-up to Almanzor at Leopardstown, has also attracted a spot of support and has been shortened to 13-2 (from 7) with some firms