The G1 Prix Vermeille (2400m) at ParisLongchamp on Sunday (7 September) is traditionally regarded as an accurate indicator of possible success in October’s G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe over the same course and distance and this weekend’s edition is no exception.

Bluestocking and Aventure fought out both races last season and, with Aventure back in Prix Vermeille action along with some super-talented probable Arc-bound fillies, a repeat scenario cannot be ruled out.

Aventure – who won her first two starts of 2025 – was given a summer break to freshen her up with the big autumn prizes in mind.

A mighty threat to her comes in the shape of Aidan O’Brien-trained Whirl, who has continually enhanced her reputation.

Having almost stolen the G1 Oaks Stakes (2405m) at Epsom from better-fancied stablemate Minnie Hauk (twice a Group 1 winner since), she then showed Group 1 power and enthusiasm to win both the Curragh’s Pretty Polly Stakes (2000m) and Goodwood’s Nassau Stakes (1979m), latterly skimming over the rain-soaked ground and leading throughout to win unchallenged.

O’Brien said of Whirl: “After that Goodwood win and even in the mud, she didn’t appear to have had a hard race. Whirl is an uncomplicated, understated filly.”

Another Prix Vermeille-bound filly with a growing profile is Gezora, back from an 84-day break since becoming a French Classic winner, producing a sustained run up the Chantilly straight to hold off fast-finishing Bedtime Story in June’s G1 Prix de Diane (2100m).

She is trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, who has supplemented Sahlan for Sunday’s earlier Group 1, the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (1600m).

Fierce rivals in what looks an open contest include Richard Hannon-trained triple Group 1 winner Rosallion. He has produced some wonderful 2025 performances despite injury issues, just finding some 1400m specialists too strong in last month’s G1 City Of York Stakes.

If the ground remains soft, Quddwah is expected to thrive following a front-running Listed win over this course and distance in May and Group 3 victory at Chantilly in July both coming on slow ground.

O’Brien’s Henri Matisse will also get a lot of respect. He is now twice a Group 1 winner, latterly swooping late for Classic glory to win the G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains (1600m) over this course in May.