Overview

• Organisers confirmed strong supporting cards, including 12 declared for the Prix de l’Opera led by See The Fire and Tamfana, and 19 for the Prix de l’Abbaye with Australian sprinter Asfoora drawn in stall three.
• Connections reported upbeat preparations: William Buick said Cualificar is improving after his Prix Niel win, Takashi Saito voiced confidence in Croix Du Nord, Barry Mahon highlighted soft-ground hopes for Kalpana, and Oisin Murphy endorsed Byzantine Dream.
• The Arc field brings a multinational cast featuring Minnie Hauk, Cualificar, Aventure, Byzantine Dream, Croix Du Nord, Kalpana and Giavellotto, with Japan again bidding for a first win in the race.
• Bookmakers launched Arc-weekend offers, with Ladbrokes’ bet £5 get £30 and Coral’s bet £10 get £40, as tip selections diverged across outlets for Cualificar, Byzantine Dream, Giavellotto, Asfoora and More Thunder.
• The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe goes off at 3.05pm on Sunday at Longchamp, capping a weekend of 15 Group races, 12 staged at the Paris track.