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A horse-by-horse guide of Sunday's feature Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp...
1 – Zarakem (J Reynier/C Demuro)
Started the season off well with a victory in the 1m2f Group 2 Prix d'Harcourt and produced a career-best performance at Royal Ascot when runner-up behind Auguste Rodin in the Group 1 Prince Of Wales's Stakes. Two from two tackling the distance with first-time hood applied. Best form could see the four-year-old find a place.
2 – Haya Zark (A Fouassier/W Buick)
Arguably produced a career-best performance to take the 1m2½f Group 1 Prix Ganay by a head before a strong third behind the re-opposing Mqse De Sevigne in the 1m1f G1 Prix d'Ispahan. Previous victor in these conditions and was given a solid warm-up for the race when second in the 1m2f Group 3 La Coupe de Maisons-Laffitte in early September.
3 – Fantastic Moon (S Steinberg/R Piechulek)
Came into last year's renewal as a possible contender for the 'Arc' crown and could only manage eleventh. In better form this year with victories in the 1m3f Group 2 Grosser Preis von Wettstar.de and the 1m4f Group 1 Preis Von Baden. Seen to best effect over this distance although slower ground would be a concern.
4 – Al Riffa (J O'Brien/Y Take)
Shown ability at the top level over the last two seasons and started the campaign well when fourth in the blanket finish for the 1m2½f Group 1 Prix Ganay. Demonstrated considerable improvement when stepped up to 1m4f for the first time in the G1 Preis Von Berlin at Hoppegartan and connections have been making plenty of positive noise about the four-year-old.
5 – Sevenna's Knight (M Barzalona/A Fabre)
One of three Andre Fabre trained runners in the field. Clocked up two consecutive victories in Group company when taking the 1m7f Group 3 Prix de Barbeville and the 1m7½f Group 2 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier in April and May. Struggled for pace when dropped back to 1m4f for the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. Difficult to fancy unless conditions turn very testing.
6 – Continuous (A O'Brien/C Soumillon)
Winner of the 2023 1m6f Group 1 St Leger at Doncaster before finishing a credible fifth in this race. Not found the same level of form as a four-year-old and was unable to justify favouritism when a well-beaten third in the course and distance Group 2 Prix Foy on 'Arc Trials' day.
7 – Bluestocking (R Beckett/R Ryan)
Supplemented for the race. Gained a well-deserved second Group 1 when taking the course and distance Prix Vermeille in mid-September when racing prominently throughout. Performs on a variety of different ground conditions and her fourth in the 1m2f Group 1 Juddmonte International appears to be a strong piece of form.
8 – Mqse De Sevigne (A Fabre/A Pouchin)
Looking for a fourth straight Group 1 success. Continues to progress and proved that she can be effective against the boys when taking the 1m1f Group 1 Prix d'Ispahan in May. Step up to 1m4f is a complete unknown although connections are hopeful she will excel over the stamina test.
9 – Look De Vega (C & Y Lerner/R Thomas)
Winner of this year's 1m2½f Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club on third career start. Suffered a surprise defeat when third behind Sosie in the course and distance Group 2 Prix Niel on 'Arc Trials Day'. Would need to come forward again to reverse the form.
10 – Shin Emperor (Y Yahagi/R Sakai)
Sole Japanese representative. Some strong form over 1m2f and 1m4f in Japan. Made an eye-catching start to European campaign when third in the G1 Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on a track that was not deemed ideal. Interesting prospect.
11 – Sunway (D Menuisier/O Murphy)
Holding his own against some of the best middle-distance three-year-olds in Europe this season with placings in the 1m4f Group 1 Irish Derby, the 1m2½f Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club and the 1m6f Group 1 St Leger. Tends to find one or two too good.
12 – Delius (J-C Rouget/I Mendizabal)
Boasted an unbeaten record in three when starting favourite for the 1m4f Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris. Finished third behind Sosie and was unable to reverse the form when second behind the same opponent in the course and distance Group 2 Prix Niel. Would need to find more.
13 – Sosie (A Fabre/M Guyon)
Arguably the best three-year-old in the field who has improved significantly for the step up to 1m4f. Finished third behind Look De Vega in the 1m2½f Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club but reversed the form with the same rival when taking the course and distance Group 2 Prix Niel. Plenty to like.
14 – Los Angeles (A O'Brien/R Moore)
First string from the Aidan O'Brien yard. Placed third behind City Of Troy in the 1m4f Group 1 Epsom Derby before taking the Irish equivalent at the Curragh. Connections decided the 'Arc' was the aim after a hard-fought success in the 1m4f Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes at York and the colt received an ideal preparation when fourth in the 1m2f Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes over a trip shorter than ideal.
15 – Survie (N Clement/T Marquand)
One of two runners receiving both the three-year-old and fillies' allowance. Good win in the course and distance Group 2 Prix de Mallerat preceded a disappointing seventh in the G1 Prix de Vermeille in the same conditions. More would be required.
16 – Aventure (C Ferland/S Pasquier)
Close fourth in the 1m2½f Group 1 Prix de Diane before improving over a longer test to win the 1m4½f Group 2 Prix de Pomone at Deauville. Second in the 1m4f Group 1 Prix Vermeille behind Bluestocking in these conditions is a good piece of form.
WIN – LOS ANGELES
PLACE – MQSE DE SEVIGNE