He said: ‘‘He will probably run, yes, unless there is a last minute change.’’

And William Hill make the Ashkalani colt a 14-1 chance from 16-1 for Saturday’s contest on the Rowley Mile.

Massalani has a 100% record with three wins out of three runs to his credit and he has already accounted for one of his possible Newmarket rivals this season.

He opened his account in a maiden contest at Clairfontaine last season, before following up with another win in a minor event at Chantilly.

He then demonstrated considerable improvement on his reappearance this season when accounting for Zipping in the Listed Prix Djebel.

Massalani has not been on the track since that outing but Fabre reports him to be well ahead of his run but the handler is hoping the recent spell of wet weather in Britain will hold off for the rest of the week.

‘‘He has been working alright and he did work this morning, I just hope it does not rain too much,’’ he said.

‘‘Olivier Peslier will take the ride and we will probably fly over on the morning of the race.

Compatriot Zipping was also among 29 horses confirmed for the race on Monday, nine of which, including the favourite Hawk Wing, are from the Ballydoyle yard of Aidan O’Brien.

Zipping looked to be a smart performer as a juvenile when winning a minor event at Maisons-Laffitte before returning to take the Prix Robert Papin at the same track.

The son of Zafonic followed up those runs with good seconds to Johannesburg in both the Prix Morny at Deauville and the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket.

Collet’s charge then finished second to Massalani.

Zipping had a six-furlong spin on the Les Reservoirs straight gallop at Chantilly and trainer Robert Collet was satisfied with his performance.

He said: ‘‘Zipping may be one of the outsiders, but the fact that I have decided to send him to England suggests I have certain ambitions for him.’’

The colt, a 40-1 chance for the race with William Hill, will be ridden by Davy Bonilla, who is in great form himself having landed a Group Three double at Longchamp on Sunday.

Newmarket has had 15mm of rain between Friday and Sunday and the going has was changed from firm to good to firm.

The forecast is for unsettled weather until Thursday with the possibility of up to 20mm of rain. The longer range forecast is for more settled, drier weather from Friday.

Michael Prosser, clerk of the course, said: ‘‘The rain over the weekend has eased the ground slightly, although after such a prolonged dry spell and with the prevailing high winds drying it out, it remains very much on the quick side.

‘‘With more rain forecast over the next three days, the ground could obviously ease further by the time the Sagitta Guineas Festival opens on Friday.’’

All the major contenders stood their ground for the Sagitta 1000 Guineas, with just three major absentees, all expected.

Henry Cecil took out Half Glance and Protectress, which means he will not be represented in either Classic having withdrawn Western Verse from the colts’ event, while Godolphin’s Silent Honor is ruled out through injury.

Coral have reported some interesting betting news on Quarter Moon in the fillies’ event.

The O’Brien-trained filly was as short as 7-1 with the firm last week but she has drifted out to 11-1 for the mile event although she has been well supported for the Vodafone Oaks at Epsom next month.

Spokesman Simon Clare said: ‘‘Some of our shrewder clients were backing Quarter Moon for the Oaks yet we can’t give her away for the Guineas.’’

William Hill have seen some good money for Luca Cumani’s Gossamer and she has been shortened up to 9-4 from 5-2.

Pascal Bary has yet to finalise plans for his entry Glia and she is the only remaining Gallic entry after Danseuse d’Etoile was pulled out at today’s five-day confirmation stage.

Glia entered Guineas calculations when taking the traditional Classic prep, the Listed Prix Imprudence, over a straight seven furlongs at Maisons-Laffitte on her reappearance.

But Bary, speaking from his Chantilly stable, revealed that plans are not yet set for the Ap Indy filly.

He said: ‘‘Glia will be left in the Guineas, but we will wait until Thursday before making a final decision. We wish to evaluate the strength of the opposition first.’’

If Glia does bypass HQ then she will instead run in the French equivalent, the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches, at Longchamp on Sunday week.