We are set for a terrific day of action at Longchamp on Sunday and that of course brings with it the race which gives its name to the big meeting, The Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
The famous Group 1 is routinely one of the world's most prestigious races and this year carries a purse that totals €5,000,000 as the field of 16 go in search of Arc glory at ParisLongchamp.
Adrian Wall provides his analysis on the big race as well as some other selections on Sunday's massive meeting, where the Group 1 action gets underway at 12.55 and ends at 4.40, with the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe itself due off at 3.20.
3.20 – Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
The big one! A field of 16 will engage in battle for Longchamp's famous Group 1 and this is as competitive a renewal as one can remember. Look De Vega and Sosie are the main hopes for those trained on home soil, but this is a contest that could go to the Irish yet again and the one horse who sticks out like a sore thumb is Los Angeles.
Ryan Moore will take the ride on the son of Camelot, who is already a dual Group 1 winner. The first of those came on French soil when landing the 1m2f Criterium de Saint-Cloud on just his second career start. He got outpaced late on in the Derby at Epsom when third to City Of Troy but he doesn't have to worry about that runner here.
Los Angeles saw off the reopposing Sunway in the Irish Derby next time before going on to land the Great Voltigeur at York, and he was given the perfect preparation for this assignment when fourth in the Irish Champion Stakes behind Economics, only beaten a length for a finish.The step back up in trip will suit and we might see a career-best performance from him here.
The big danger could be Joseph O'Brien's Al Riffa, who loves cut in the ground and was devastating when winning a German Group 1 by five lengths when last seen. Two Arc winners won that contest before tasting success at Longchamp so it's a race that works out well and it was also his first crack at 1m4f. He relished it on the day and there could be more to come from this boy.
Japanese star Shin Emperor would be the real headline story for sure. He was given a lovely prep for this when third in the Irish Champion Stakes and his form on that run is as good as anything in the lineup. One thing is for sure, we are in for a cracking race and a case can be made for the majority of the field.
SELECTION: LOS ANGELES
NEXT BEST: AL RIFFA
12.55 - Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac - Criterium des Pouliches
It could turn out to be a stellar day for Aidan O'Brien and Bedtime Story can bounce back from her disappointing run when finishing last of five in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh last time. She was weak enough in the betting on the day despite going off a hot favourite and just didn't seem on her game, but her Ascot victory was arguably the performance of the season and a reproduction of that would be enough.
There's only one genuine danger and that's current favourite Zarigana, who impressed when winning on debut over 7f at Chantilly and improved again to score in a course and distance Group 3 last time.
The unbeaten daughter of Siyouni deserves to be at the head of the market, but Bedtime Story has more experience than her at the moment and that might swing things in the Irish horse's favour. All in all, it should be a fascinating duel between the pair.
SELECTION: BEDTIME STORY
NEXT BEST: ZARIGANA
1.30 - Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere
A son of Wootton Bassett, Henri Matisse won his first three career starts in good fashion but just fell short when stepped up to Group 1 company last time when second to Scorthy Champ in the National Stakes at the Curragh. Nonetheless, it was a very big run and he deserves to be at the head of the market here off the back of that effort. He's bred to handle an easier surface so that could draw out a bit of improvement.
Of the dangers, Brian Meehan's Rashabar could lay down a big challenge. He might have been a shock 80/1 winner when landing the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, but he proved it was no fluke when progressing again to finish second to Whistlejacket in the Group 1 Prix Morny at Deauville when last seen. He's a gutsy horse who puts his head down and won't be far away up in trip.
SELECTION: HENRI MATISSE
NEXT BEST: RASHABAR
2.05 - Prix De L'abbaye De Longchamp Longines
Trainer Archie Watson has found the key to Bradsell again this year and if he keeps running the way he has been of late, then everything else will be playing for second.
The son of Tasleet came back from an absence to win a Listed event at Deauville in August, before landing a pair of Group 1s at York and the Curragh subsequently. He had the race put to bed early at the Curragh last time and is in superb form.
Clive Cox's Kerdos might be the one to chase him home. A winner of a Haydock Group 2 in May, he has run well in defeat since, including finishing fourth to Bradsell in the Flying Five at the Curragh when last seen, doing best work at the finish and beaten three lengths. He can handle a bit of juice in the ground and he won't be far off.
SELECTION: BRADSELL
NEXT BEST: KERDOS
