While the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is undeniably the centrepiece of Sunday afternoon’s activities, it will not have gone unnoticed that there are also six other Gr.1 events on the programme. With going expected to be good to soft, the day’s proceedings will surely live up to their billing.

The Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère kicks things off and Beauvatier puts his invincibility on the line. Winner of all four runs to date, he is an obvious favourite, but will feel some pressure from the likes of Unquestionable, well-regarded by his handler, Aidan O’Brien, and Jean-Claude Rouget’s Zabiari who comfortably won a Longchamp Gr.3 in early September.

Restricted to 2 year-old fillies and run over a mile, the Prix Marcel Boussac has attracted quite a field. Winner of a Curragh Gr.3 by a 6½ lengths’ margin, Ballydoyle’s Opera Singer will be very much under scrutiny, as will Darnation, whose trainer, Karl Burke, has enjoyed exceptional success with his juveniles this year. On the domestic front, Les Pavots looks the best bet. Rose Bloom and Julica are both interesting outsiders.

The Qatar Arabian World Cup has brought together a field of ten, and trainer François Rohaut looks to have the key to this €1m, 2000m highlight. Two of his three runners are in with a realistic shout, notably Al Ghadeer, winner of four Gr.1 races and unbeaten since August 2022, and Ch’Ezza who is another consistent and classy individual. First Class and Al Doha are other candidates with decent credentials at this level.

One of the most prestigious fillies & mares races on the European calendar, the Prix de l’Opéra provides an ideal opportunity for Blue Rose Cen to redeem herself, not having been up to scratch since winning the Prix de Diane in June. That said, she takes on Jannah Rose, who won the Prix Saint-Alary in the spring, and Nassau Stakes winner, Al Husn. Considering how well she ran in the Matron Stakes, Rogue Millennium must be considered a player. Every year, the Opéra crowns a champion and this edition is most certainly not going to to disappoint.

In a 20-strong field, just five French-trained horses go to post for the coveted Prix de l’Abbaye sprint. In the frame in 3 of 5 starts at Gr.1 level this season, Highfield Princess currently looks good enough to win her second race in France despite her poor draw in stall 14, following on from the 2022 Gr.1 Prix Maurice de Gheest. Coeur De Pierre, third in the Abbaye twelve months ago, and the highly-consistent Go Athletico, can do well in an event in which the locals have missed out in nine of the last ten editions.

Final Gr.1 of the day is the 1400m Prix de la Forêt and last year’s winner, Kinross, looks to be Frankie Dettori’s best chance of bidding Longchamp a victorious goodbye. Recent Prix du Moulin hero, Sauterne, is 2.5kg better off and looks set to give the Italian’s 6 year-old a run for his money. Fang, who will appreciate the ground, and surprise Maurice de Gheest winner, King Gold, look solid place prospects.