Racing: Hannon's hopes rise for Souffle

LEMON SOUFFLE, injured in Wednesday's Cheveley Park Stakes, could recover in time for next year's 1,000 Guineas, Richard Hannon, her trainer, said yesterday.

The filly spent the night under veterinary supervision near the racecourse and is progressing well after undergoing surgery on her gashed off- hind leg. 'Fortunately, she didn't need a general anaesthetic,' Hannon said. 'The vets have stitched the wound and bandaged it tightly.

'The damage to her tendon runs lengthwise and not across. Normally that heals sufficently well for the horse to continue a racing career.'

Britain's challenge for Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe increased, as expected, to nine yesterday when Bob's Return and Only Royale were supplemented at a cost of pounds 36,000 each. Four French horses defected from the race - Modhish, Petit Loup, Northern Park and El Louisa - leaving 23 possibles.

Richard Quinn had been booked for Andre Fabre's Modhish but has now secured the mount on Clive Brittain's Garden Of Heaven.