Why Daryz is in ‘excellent form’ but there are grounds for optimism in Kalpana’s 11/4 bid for glory: Your guide to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe

The pinnacle feature race of European flat racing season has arrived – the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp racecourse.

Daily Mail Sport’s expert Sam Turner runs through the 16 runners vying for glory and the £2,484,348 prize pot in the 3.05pm race on Sunday afternoon.

Daryz

Bids to become the first colt to record back-to-back wins since the late 1970s and is reported to be in excellent form by his brilliant handler. Well drawn and open to further improvement at Sunday’s 12f distance on his home patch; he will be tough to beat.

Sam Turner’s star rating: ★★★★

Saddadd

Relished the step up to a mile-and-a-half to land a first Group One success in Germany last time out and no reason why he should not enjoy this test, albeit the level of his form leaves him with plenty to find.

Sam Turner’s star rating: ★

Chestnut Rocket

Prominent racer who posted a career best on his previous run when narrowly beaten in a Group Two. Boasts a decent strike rate but wins achieved at a much lower level than this.

Sam Turner’s star rating: ★

Admire Terra

One of two Japanese contenders. Hard to make a case for him, given his best form has come at around two miles, while a high stall (12) is a disadvantage.

Sam Turner’s star rating: ★

Meisho Tabaru

As yet unproven over this trip and stall 13 will make life tough, albeit he is one of few in the field that races prominently. Best form at shorter than this distance so, rider Yutaka Take — at 57 — would be springing one of racing’s all-time shocks by winning.

Sam Turner’s star rating: ★★

Arrow Eagle

His legendary handler Jean-Claude Rouget, soon to be retired, has enjoyed notable success in this event in the past decade, winning it twice, but fast ground is unlikely to allow Arrow Eagle the chance to complete a hat-trick.

Sam Turner’s star rating: ★

Bay City Roller

Highly talented Group One performer, especially when the mud is flying. Done few favours by the weather or the draw, but could still outrun his odds given he was just under two lengths behind Daryz in his trial for this.

Sam Turner’s star rating: ★★★

Minnie Hauk

Beaten just a head in last year’s renewal by Daryz, she has subsequently struggled in four Group Ones to reach that level, albeit her effort behind Ombudsman at Royal Ascot was creditable. Needs a season’s best.

Sam Turner’s star rating: ★★

Kalpana

Well held in this event last year on deep ground but has been a different proposition this summer, collecting Group One successes. Nicely berthed 12 months on, with ground conditions to suit, so should be closer to Daryz this time.

Sam Turner’s star rating: ★★★★★

Friendly Soul

Added to this field following her all-the-way win in the Prix Vermeille over this course and distance last month, which took her record to 2-2 at Longchamp. More needed here but could outrun her odds.

Sam Turner’s star rating: ★★★

Varandir

Well drawn, progressive and with course form to recommend him, there is no wonder he has attracted support in the ante-post markets. Trained by a genius, he is closely matched with Maltese Cross so could be in the shake-up.

Sam Turner’s star rating: ★★★★

Benvenuto Cellini

Chosen by jockey Ryan Moore, the Irish Derby winner will bid to bounce back from a poor effort in the Prix Niel. Handed a favourable low draw, he should love conditions but still has ground to find with Kalpana on their King George running.

Sam Turner’s star rating: ★★★

Bright Light

Boasts a strong staying pedigree and, on typical autumnal Paris ground, would hold a chance of placing. However, there is a suspicion that everything might happen a little too quickly.

Sam Turner’s star rating: ★

Maltese Cross

Improving colt who already boasts a course and distance victory here in July, where the winning margin could have been wider but for traffic issues. Will love conditions and looks a huge player.

Sam Turner’s star rating: ★★★★

Thundering On

Impressive winner of the Oaks who boasts a sharp turn of foot. Expect her to be late on the scene, courtesy of a patient ride, and could post a career best if managing to navigate a clear pathway in the Longchamp straight.

Sam Turner’s star rating: ★★★

Diamond Necklace

Has enjoyed a terrific season, winning two French Group Ones as well as the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood, before suffering an unexpected defeat at Deauville in August. Would have been an intriguing contender but for drawing stall 16.

Sam Turner’s star rating: ★★

SAM’S VERDICT: It has been 48 years since a colt has recorded back-to-back victories in this prestigious event but Daryz holds outstanding claims, especially as he appears well drawn and is certain to enjoy his favoured ground at a track where his record stands at a remarkable seven victories from eight starts. 

However, Francis-Henri Graffard’s star is reluctantly overlooked in favour of Kalpana, who is roughly three times the price and will also relish a faster surface than she encountered at York last time out. She is a threat to all if repeating the level of her King George triumph at Ascot in mid-summer. The progressive Varandir is closely matched with Grand Prix de Paris winner Maltese Cross and may prove the biggest threat to the main protagonists.

1st – Kalpana, 2nd – Daryz, 3rd – Varandir.