Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe: Timeform's runner-by-runner guide

1. Persian King (Andre Fabre, France/Pierre-Charles Boudot)
Boasts a superb strike rate and made it 3 wins for the year when seeing off Pinatubo in the Prix du Moulin (1m) here last month. One of the more classy ones but very hard to see him staying this trip.

2. Royal Julius (Jerome Reynier, France/Shane Foley)
Some good runs this year without adding to his November Bahrain success. Huge surprise if he's involved.

3. Way To Paris (Andrea Marcialis, France/Ioritz Mendizabal)
Has had a good year, landing his first Group 1 in the Prix de Saint-Cloud in June. Poor run in the Prix Foy over C&D 3 weeks ago though and hard to fancy in this.

4. Japan (Aidan O'Brien, Ireland/Yutaka Take)
Very smart 3-y-o, his wins including the Grand Prix de Paris over C&D, while he was fourth in this. 2020 has been a letdown and Ryan Moore jumps ship but not the biggest surprise to see a revival.

5. Sovereign (Aidan O'Brien, Ireland/Mickael Barzalona)
Caused a surprise when making all in the 2019 Irish Derby. Not so good this year, including when fancied in the Irish St Leger last time, but will handle conditions in the firing line.

6. Stradivarius (John Gosden/Olivier Peslier)
Has led all before him in the British staying division since 2018 and ran a good race in the Prix Foy over C&D last month. Stronger pace/softer ground sure to suit and he's one of the key players.

7. Sottsass (Jean-Claude Rouget, France/Cristian Demuro)
One of the top 3-y-os in 2019, third in this after winning the Prix Niel over C&D, and has held his form well this term, catching the eye in the Irish Champion 3 weeks ago. Major player back here.

8. Enable (John Gosden/Frankie Dettori)
Superstar mare who won this in 2017 and 2018 and was a fine second last year. Easy wins in small fields the last twice and proven under the conditions. Everything set fair for her to make history.

9. Deirdre (Mitsuru Hashida, Japan/Jamie Spencer)
Smart Japanese mare who landed the Nassau at Goodwood in 2019. Plenty of creditable runs since but unlikely to be winning this.

10. Gold Trip (Fabrice Chappet, France/Stephane Pasquier)
Smart colt who won Lyon Group 2 over 11f in June and was much improved behind fellow 3-y-os Mogul and In Swoop in the Grand Prix de Paris over C&D for all he didn't convince with his stamina.

11. Chachnak (Fabrice Vermeulen, France/Tony Piccone)
Took another stride forward when winning the Group 3 Prix du Prince d'Orange over 10f here last month, just holding on. Big step up in trip/class both likely to find him out here.

12. In Swoop (Francis-Henri Graffard, France/Ronan Thomas)
Took a huge step forward when winning the German Derby in July and shaped really well when splitting Mogul and Gold Trip in the Grand Prix de Paris over C&D. Sterner test will suit and could figure.

13. Mogul (Aidan O'Brien, Ireland/Ryan Moore)
Improved again when winning the Grand Prix de Paris over C&D from several of these last month, readily coming clear. Needs more again but looks the Ballydoyle pick and could have more to offer.

14. Serpentine (Aidan O'Brien, Ireland/Christophe Soumillon)
Made all under a cracking ride in the Derby but hung right and not so good when behind 3 of these rivals in the Grand Prix de Paris over C&D 3 weeks ago. Supplemented and has Soumillon booked.

15. Raabihah (Jean-Claude Rouget, France/Maxime Guyon)
Has made a fine start, winning 3 of her 5 outings, and caught the eye in the Prix Vermeille over C&D last month, keeping on well in a steadily-run race. Gets the good allowances and wouldn't dismiss.