1

Zarakem

A G2 winner in France but his strong finishing second in a Royal Ascot G1 was a clear career best. Would be better fancied here had he not subsequently ran poorly at York.

2

Haya Zark

Sprang a shock when winning a G1 here in April. That was over shorter but last year he won a G3 over this trip here. The key for him is the ground, the slower the better.

3

Fantastic Moon

Won a G2 trial for this in 2023 before disappointing in the Arc. Doing well in a light 2024 campaign, and powerful at the end when gaining a second career G1 victory, at Baden-Baden (2400m) in early September. Could easily run well.

4

Al Riffa

A globetrotter with an upwardly mobile profile, notably when completely overpowering his opposition in G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin (2400m) at Hoppegarten in August. That race has a good record of producing serious Arc contenders.

5

Sevenna’s Knight

Has an extraordinary Longchamp record this year, unbeaten in three starts. However, they have all been over a longer trip. This strong stayer will want a blistering pace and slow ground, to blunt the speed of his rivals.

6

Continuous

Long on stamina as he showed when winning a G1 Classic, Doncaster’s St Leger last year, prior to finishing a solid fifth in this. Tough and versatile, and doing pretty well in a light 2024. But very hard to see him winning.

7

Bluestocking

Has matured into a brilliant filly this season, starting with a G2 success and with two G1 victories since latterly when rallying bravely after being headed to beat eleven of her own sex over this course and distance last month. She can’t be discounted.

8

Mqse de Sevigne

On a G1 winning spree, delivering powerful late challenges from the back, latterly just doing enough over 2000m at Deauville. Though this is her first 2400m run, there is plenty of stamina in her pedigree.

9

Look De Vega

His growing reputation reached a peak when he thrashed 13 rivals in the French Derby at Chantilly in June. That reputation took a notable setback when he failed to justify favouritism in a G2 Arc trial in mid-September. Hopefully fitter now but will need to be.

10

Shin Emperor

His 1L defeat in a 2000m G1 at Leopardstown last month was a terrific performance, strong at the end despite racing too freely. Untried on slow ground but some chance of a first Japanese Arc success.

11

Sunway

Hopefully will have recovered from the tough battle up the Doncaster straight when finishing fourth (placed third) in last month’s G1 St Leger at Doncaster. This shorter trip is not an issue, but this could just be a challenge too far.

12

Delius

Facts and figures suggest continuous progress from this colt who latterly only found Arc favourite Sosie too strong in a soft-ground G2 Arc trial in mid-September. Soft ground best for him.

13

Sosie

Unbeaten at ParisLongchamp, winning a 2400m G1 and a G2 here on his last two starts, latterly much too strong for his rivals in a trial in September. A powerful colt who could be getting even better. Good chance.

14

Los Angeles

Twice a G1 winner – including the Irish Derby – in his seven-race career and looking as though the return to 2400m would be a big plus when a close fourth – just not quite quick enough – in a 2000m G1 at Leopardstown last month. Chance.

15

Survie

Her trainer won the Arc way back in 1990. She staked her claim by winning a G2 over this course and distance back in July. Never competitive back here last month. Hard to fancy.

16

Aventure

Keeps on delivering strong performances, and her close second in a G1 over this course and distance in mid-September suggests that she has serious place prospects in Europe’s greatest race.