Montjeu can earn Champion tag

Montjeu: Odds shortened by William Hill

Montjeu can repair his battered pride after his Arc de Triomphe flop by winning the Group One Champion Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday.

The French colt, who will be ridden by Michael Kinane, has been given the green light to run after working well at Chantilly.

Montjeu failed in his bid to become the first dual Arc De Triomphe winner since Alleged in 1978.

He finished a tame fourth behind winner Sinndar, suffering only the third defeat of his 14-race career.

Reeling off

Until then, the 1999 French and Irish Derby winner had carried all before him this season after reeling off group wins in the Tattersalls Gold Cup, Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes, and the Prix Foy.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained Giant's Causeway had been expected to represent owners Michael Tabor and John Magnier in the £400,000 contest.

But the prospect of softish ground at Newmarket may have helped sway them towards running Montjeu in the Group One contest.

Running in the Champion Stakes after the Arc has proved too much for some horses in the past.

Nijinsky was sent off 4-11 favourite for the race in 1970 after losing his unbeaten record to Sassafras at Longchamp 13 days earlier but was sensationally beaten by Lorenzaccio.

However, Triptych won the Champion in 1986 and 1987 having finished third in the Arc both years.

Quartet of entries

Meanwhile, trainer John Dunlop will wait until Friday before deciding which of his quartet of entries will line up for Saturday's Jockey Club Cup.

The Arundel trainer's squad consists of Prix du Cadran winner San Sebastian, Orchestra Stall, Pairumani Star and Samsaam.

The first-named is more likely to run in the Prix Royal Oak at Longchamp on 22 October but Saturday's race is still being considered for the remaining trio.

Dunlop's racing secretary Marcus Hosgood said: "We will finalise plans on Friday when we know what the ground conditions are like.

"At the moment San Sebastian is more likely to go for the Prix Royal Oak. The other three are all possible runners depending on the ground."