Big Rock and Facteur Cheval headline Sunday’s (3 September) Prix du Moulin de Longchamp – the 1600m Group 1 at Longchamp which for the first time since 1996 is an all-French affair.

The home team lost out to English-trained raiders Dreamloper and Baaeed in the past two years.

Big Rock will have plenty of supporters after his fine second in the G1 French Derby (2100m) at Chantilly. He was then caught out by an inspired Frankie Dettori on Inspiral dropping back to this 1600m in the G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois, the centrepiece of last month’s Deauville festival.

With French Derby winner Ace Impact adding gloss to the French Derby form with a stylish win since (in the G2 Prix Guillaume d’Ornano) to confirm his status as favourite for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Big Rock finally has a chance to shine in his own right and land his first Group 1.

The Christopher Head-trained three-year-old ran admirably in the Marois and is partnered once again by Aurelien Lemaitre.

Head said: "I thought at one stage we were going to win the Marois but he was beaten by a great Inspiral. The weight allowance for fillies played a major role as well.

"Now it’s the Moulin," added Head, who is trying to continue his family’s ties with a race that his father Freddy won both as a trainer and jockey.

One of Big Rock’s chief rivals is Facteur Cheval, who is out for compensation after a superb second to Aidan O’Brien’s three-year-old star Paddington in the G1 Sussex Stakes (1600m) at Goodwood.

His trainer, Jerome Reynier, reports his stable trailblazer in fighting shape for Sunday’s test.

"I find him in very good condition, just as good as before his last race in England.

"Big Rock should make it a strong pace, which will suit us. We are there to win," said the trainer.

"He keeps improving mentally and physically, so probably the best is yet to come."

The Aga Khan’s colours are carried by Erevann who was sixth in the Marois and suited by soft ground while master French trainer Andre Fabre relies on Belbek.

The latter was among the G1 winners over last year’s Arc weekend and most recently was bumped when out of luck in a 1400m G1 (Prix Jean Prat) last month.

Patrice Cottier, a French trainer enjoying a superb season with over two million euros in prize money, has high hopes for his three-year-old filly Sauterne, third in the G1 French 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Longchamp.

"She’s had a great summer," he says.

"I thought the straight 1600m at Deauville last time out would be the limit but she was right there in the Prix Rothschild (G1).

"She can go in front or wait behind and will once again give her best."

Mickael Barzalona will be on board as Maxime Guyon is retained by the Wertheimer brothers for their French 1000 Guineas fourth Kelina.