Through The Card: Longchamp, Sunday 4 October

13:15 - ST MARK'S BASILICA (1) produced his best effort yet when third in the National Stakes at the Curragh last time, keeping on well to be beaten just a length and a half. He arguably shaped better than the bare result, too, given that he was forced to deliver his challenge from further back than ideal in a steadily-run affair. That form sets the standard here on Timeform's weight-adjusted ratings, and, with further improvement on the cards, he looks to hold obvious claims for the Aidan O'Brien yard that is seeking a ninth success in this Group 1 since 1997.

13:50 - PRETTY GORGEOUS (12) won two of her first three starts - including the Debutante Stakes at the Curragh - and she confirmed herself a smart filly when filling the runner-up spot behind old rival Shale in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the same venue last time, not getting an ideal trip but sticking to her task well to push the winner all the way to the line. That level is far superior to anything her 13 rivals here have achieved, so she rates very much the one to beat under Pierre-Charles Boudout, who is the right man to help her navigate her wide draw.

15:05 - SOTTSASS (7) is a high-class performer on his day, as he showed when third - less than two lengths behind Enable - in this race 12 months ago. He's won only one of his four starts in 2020, but this has been his target from the beginning and there was plenty of encouragement to be taken from his latest fourth in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown. He was doing his best work at the finish on that occasion, shaping as if ready to step back up to a mile and a half, and it will be no surprise if these conditions provide the catalyst for an improved performance. He can provide the chief threat to Enable as she seeks a record-breaking third win in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

15:50 - FANCY BLUE (11) found the trip too sharp when third in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown last time, so she is better judged on the form she showed to record back-to-back Group 1 wins over this trip in the summer, including when digging deep to land the Prix de Diane at Chantilly in July, ultimately beating Alpine Star by a neck. That rival is in opposition again here, but Fancy Blue may yet have more to offer after only six starts and is taken to uphold the placings for Donnacha O'Brien and Ryan Moore.

16:25 - MAKE A CHALLENGE (3) was strongly fancied to gain a first Group 1 success in the Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh last time, but, in the event, he didn't get the opportunity to show what he can do, getting going too late after racing away from the main action and being left with too much ground to make up. Still beaten only two lengths into fifth, he has earned another crack at the winner Glass Slippers and could well turn the tables this time, especially with the conditions coming in his favour (very effective on heavy ground).

16:55 - SAFE VOYAGE (2) is now a seven-year-old but has proved better than ever on his last two starts, winning a pair of Group 2s in the space of three weeks. A decisive winner of the City of York Stakes at the Ebor Festival, he then showed plenty of courage to follow up in the Boomerang Stakes at Leopardstown on Irish Champions Weekend, finding plenty to repel Sinawann by a short head. One Master will be a big danger as she attempts to win this Group 1 for the third year in a row, but Safe Voyage has the edge on Timeform's weight-adjusted ratings and will take plenty of beating if continuing in the same rich vein of form.