A Sextet of Star Horses to Watch Arc Weekend

The Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) dominates this weekend's (Oct. 6-7) action at ParisLongchamp, but plenty of equine quality will be on display in the French capital across both days. Here are seven stars who are set to strut their stuff at the Parisian course

Knight To Behold

Qatar Prix Dollar (G2), (3yo+, about 1 1/4m), Saturday, Oct. 6

Harry Dunlop, no stranger to a winner in Paris, is set to target another big pot with Knight To Behold. The Sea The Stars colt struggled to make an impact in both the group 1 Epsom Derby and the group 1 Irish equivalent at the Curragh, but bounced back to form with an emphatic group 2 success at Deauville on his last start, beating French Derby (G1) winner Study Of Man, and is likely to have a leading chance in the Prix Dollar. 

Anodor

Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (G1), (2yo, about 1m), Sunday, Oct. 7

There is always a strong French representation in this group 1 for 2-year-olds over a mile. Following a two-length group 3 win at the course last month, trainer Freddy Head suggested this race was the likely port of call for the unbeaten Anodor. Comparing form lines from different countries is always difficult, but he looks a fascinating contender.

Battaash

Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp Longines, (2yo+, about 5F), Sunday, Oct. 7

He can be as unpredictable as he is explosive, but that is exactly what makes Battaash box office viewing. The Charlie Hills-trained sprinter was electric when annihilating his rivals by four lengths in the race at Chantilly last season and if the 4-year-old can repeat that sort of performance instead of the lackluster effort he produced in the Nunthorpe (G1) last time, it's hard to see him being beaten. However, Battaash needs to be at his brilliant best to follow up.

Enable

Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (3yo+, no geldings, about 1 1/2m), Sunday, Oct. 7

It would be an unforgivable oversight to omit the defending Arc heroine from this list. John Gosden's brilliant filly will bid to become just the eighth horse to win the race twice. Only Treve, who was victorious in 2013 and 2014, has achieved the feat since the 1970s. The 4-year-old has missed most of the season due to an injury but shook off the cobwebs at Kempton last month, looking as good as ever. 

Wild Illusion

Prix de l'Opera Longines, (3yo+, fillies and mares, 1 1/4m), Sunday, Oct. 7

It will be interesting to see if Wild Illusion, not seen since winning the Qatar Nassau Stakes (G1) in early August, performs in the Prix de l'Opera. Charlie Appleby's filly, who won the Prix Marcel Boussac (G1) on Arc weekend last season at the meeting's temporary home of Chantilly, has always been highly thought of.

Polydream

Prix de la Foret (3yo+, 7F), Sunday, Oct. 7

Big things were expected of Freddy Head's filly this time last year and she was sent off 11-8 favorite in the Prix Marcel Boussac, only for the aforementioned Wild Illusion to emerge superior. It looked like those high hopes were misplaced initially this season, but Polydream has won her past two starts, the last of them in the group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest where she edged out George Scott's James Garfield.