Come the first Sunday of October, come the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, a twelve furlong Group One with prize money of €5,000,000 that is so much more than a race. One of the highlights of the flat season, this year is all the more important as Enable bids for a third Arc.

Whilst all eyes may well be on John Gosden’s supermare and whether she’s able to make history, this shouldn’t detract from what is more broadly a top quality two days’ Horse Racing from Longchamp. Here’s a rundown of the eleven Group races over the weekend, with those runners who catch the eye.

Saturday

The Arc may well take place on the Sunday, however the Saturday is far from short on quality racing with five Group races taking place. This corresponds with some fiercely competitive racing from Newmarket, Ascot and Redcar, with the former holding the Sun Chariot Stakes, live on ITV Racing.

12.30 Prix Dollar

Godolphin’s Line Of Duty has bounced back to form the last twice with two thirds in Group Ones over a mile. He steps up to ten furlongs in this Group Two, with his main rival the unexposed Leo De Fury who has form figures of 112 over this trip, beaten a head in a Group Three back in August.

13.35 Prix Daniel Wildenstein

A race likely to go the way of France with four of the five entries trained domestically. Jean-Claude Rouget’s Olmedo was beaten little more than a length over course and distance by Circus Maximus last month. He must overcome Impulsif who’s seeking a four-timer for Andre Fabre and the Graffard yard’s The Revenant who was won his last five.

15.25 Prix de Royallieu

A one-mile-six staying contest for the fillies & mares in which the market is headed by John Gosden’s Enbihaar. She’s won her last three at this level and should be tough to beat. Stablemates Lah Ti Dar and Anapurna would have a chance if bouncing back to their best.

16.00 Prix Chaudenay – 

A Group Two for three-year-old stayers over one-mile-seven featuring three who chased home Logician in the St. Leger three weeks ago. Of the trio, Mark Johnston’s Nayef Road is of most interest having finished third.

16.35 Prix du Cadran

Dee Ex Bee, the 2018 Derby second, has chased home Stradivarius in his last three starts. He has a great chance of landing a first success at Group One level in this gruelling two-miles-four contest.

Sunday

Six Group ones, over sprint trips, a mile and middle distances, there’s few better days racing on the planet. ITV Racing will have four of the day’s contests, the Marcel Boussac, the Jean-Luc, a Group One for Arabian horses, and the Arc.

13.15 Prix Marcel Boussac

Andre Fabre’s Savarin has won both her starts to date, including over course and distance last month in Group Three company. Her main challenge appears to come from Jessie Harrington’s Albigna who finsiedh a close sixth in the Moyglare over seven last time out. She steps up to a mile here in the juvenile contest for the fillies.

13.50 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere

Like the aforementioned Marcel Boussac, this is a Group One over a mile for the juveniles, this time open to colts as well. A P O’Brien’s Armory won three starts including the Futurity before bumping into Pinatubo in the National. He’ll be hoping to return to winning ways for a yard who won this with Happily in 2017.

15.05 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe

As high class as the previous action will be, it’s all been leading to this. Enable and Frankie Dettori are attempting to make history by landing a third successive Arc. Her main challengers appear to come from the three-year-olds Japan, who landed the Juddmonte in August, and French Derby winner Sottsass.

15.55 Prix de l’Opera

John Gosden may well be following Arc success with a win here in this ten furlong contest for the females. Mehdaayih bounced back from a rough trip in the Oaks to win at Saint-Cloud over twelve before only finding Deirdre too good in the Nassau at Goodwood.

16.30 Prix de l’Abbaye

Battaash went some way to proving that he’s the quickest horse on the planet when hacking up the Nunthorpe at York six weeks ago. A winner of this sprint at Chantilly in 2017, he was a disappointing favourite behind Mabs Cross last year. He looks a much more mature beast this season though, and should take some stopping.

17.05 Prix de la Foret

The only seven furlong Group One for older horses in Europe has gone to British trainers in the last three years. William Haggas landed this with One Master in 2018 who placed in both the Queen Anne and the Falmouth earlier this year. She should go close in what is a wide open renewal.