Al Hakeem

Has won three of his four starts this season, most recently with a powerful finish in a 2000m G2 at Deauville. Pedigree worries about this trip but his brilliant trainer seems to think it will be okay.

Alenquer

Led early in last year’s Arc, weakening in the closing battle to finish ninth. A determined display saw him narrowly win a G1 at The Curragh in May, but plenty of Sunday’s rivals have finished in front of him in two subsequent G1 efforts.

Alpinista

This remarkable five-year-old has won her last seven starts – five of them G1’s – and all at around this trip. Her superb victory – a career best – in a G1 at York in August put up right on schedule for the Arc. Very straightforward, with all the right qualities.

Broome

Just one win in his last ten starts, that victory being a terrific performance in a G2 at Royal Ascot this year. However he was well beaten in last year’s Arc, a race that in its long history no six-year-old has ever won.

Bubble Gift

Doing his best work late on when 5.5l eighth on heavy ground in last year’s Arc. Good and consistent placed efforts in all four 2022 starts, but probably hasn’t got the G1 acceleration needed to win this.

Deep Bond

Japanese challenger who led throughout to win a Longchamp trial for last year’s Arc before a dismal show in the big race itself, finishing last. Comes here without a prep this time, but did win a Japanese G2 in March.

Do Deuce

The decision to run in the Arc was made soon after he had delivered an excellent performance to win the Japanese Derby at Tokyo in May. Started favourite for a Longchamp Arc trial this month, delivering a wide challenge before running out of steam.

Grand Glory

A career best when easily beating relatively weak G3 rivals over 2000m here in May. Raced too freely, and ran right out of steam in a G1 over this course and distance this month.

Luxembourg

Injury issues meant that he missed the Derby at Epsom, but this winner of five of his six starts has bounced back to win twice since, and was in great form when landing a G1 at Leopardstown this month, looking brave and handling slow ground. A big player especially if 2400m benefits.

Mare Australis

Probable excuses for an inadequate performance in a Saint-Cloud G1 when last seen, having earlier won a soft-ground G2 over this trip at Chantilly. His great trainer always had the Arc in mind.

Mendocino

No surprise to see him trying his luck here, having finished fast to beat last year’s Arc winner Torquator Tasso in a four-runner G1 at Baden-Baden this month.

Mishriff

Three times a G1 winner plus landing a hugely valuable race in Saudi Arabia. Though beaten in G1’s on his last six starts, he has still delivered some high class performances. But 2400m may be just beyond his best trip.

Mostahdaf

Deserves some respect from a stable who have done so well in this, and a winner of seven of his 11 starts. Ran poorly two starts back but returned from a break to gain a G3 victory on the all-weather at Kempton, quickening impressively.

Onesto

His strong late surge saw him win a G1 at Longchamp in July, a clear suggestion that the move up to 2400m was a plus. An honourable second to Luxembourg in a G1 at Leopardstown this month won’t have dented his Arc chances. Slow ground best.

Sealiway

Finished a very respectable fifth – without ever looking like winning – in last year’s Arc, his only ever run over this trip. Likes to lead, but if he does he is unlikely to be able to stay in front in this championship race.

Stay Foolish

Won two big prizes in the Middle East earlier in the year, though both over longer trips than this. This Japanese trained horse prepped for this when second – leading most of the way – in a Deauville G2. May struggle.

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Last year’s Japanese St Leger winner has raised his profile further this year, becoming the first horse for many years to win the same two G1’s at Hanshin. Blessed with terrific acceleration this increasingly impressive colt could end Japan’s long wait for an Arc winner.

Torquator Tasso

Sprang a huge shock to win last year’s Arc. Must be a serious candidate again this time, and his narrow defeat in the same Baden-Baden G1 that he had won last year won’t have lessened his chance given that small field and a tactical race. Slow ground would help.

Vadeni

The most impressive winner of the French Derby (2100m) in recent times was followed by a G1 defeat of older stars at Sandown. Never quite finding enough when third to Luxembourg in a G1 at Leopardstown and must improve for the step up to 2400m, not certain on pedigree.

Westover

A fast finishing and possibly unlucky third when an outsider for the Derby at Epsom was followed by a runaway victory in the Irish Derby at The Curragh. Surely much better than the dismal show – when racing much too freely – at Ascot in July. This trip is ideal.