Valia Could Give Royer-Dupre an Eighth Royallieu Win

The Prix du Cadran (G1) is far from the only show in town at Longchamp on an eve-of-Arc card that improves with each passing year.

The Oct. 2 Prix de Royallieu (G1) for fillies and mares aged 3 and up, is now in its third year as a group 1 and over the extended trip of 14 furlongs, and in Valia , trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre has an excellent chance of extending his record to eight wins in the race on what will be his final Arc (G1) weekend with a license.

"She was a little disappointing at Deauville when she didn't entirely go through with her effort, but her preparations have gone well," said Royer-Dupre, who also saddles the progressive Dilawar  in the Prix Daniel Wildenstein (G2) earlier on the card. "This is her trip and soft ground will suit her as she stays very well."

Valia settled for third, a short neck behind Joie de Soir  in the Aug. 22 Darley Prix de Pomone (G2) at Deauville when both fillies were held up on a day when coming from off the pace was less than ideal.

The 4-year-old Sea The Stars  filly captured the Prix Radio FG Maurice de Nieuil (G2) over the Longchamp course this summer.

Believe In Love  will attempt to kick off the weekend in style for the Maeda family ahead of Deep Bond 's bid for Arc glory.

Arguably her best form has been when traveling away from Newmarket, winning on heavy ground at Saint-Cloud last October and then storming to success in the Irish Stallion Farms E.B.F. Stanerra Stakes (G3) at Leopardstown in July.

She must put a disappointing effort, when well adrift of Wonderful Tonight at Goodwood, behind her, and trainer Roger Varian said: "If she brings her A-game she would have a decent each-way chance. She handles ease in the ground and her recent work has been encouraging."

Loving Dream  should find life a little easier here than when fifth to Snowfall  in the Darley Yorkshire Oaks (G1), and she could be a major player given connections expect her to thrive for the extra quarter mile

Joint-trainer Thady Gosden said: "It was soft at Ascot when she won the Ribblesdale Stakes (G2) so hopefully this ground will suit her well. The step up to a mile and six furlongs looks sure to play to her strengths and she goes there with a decent each-way shout."