Flintshire

He has had his share of problems since being a highly impressive winner of a G1 over this course and distance in July 2013. However he did run a good second behind Ruler Of The World in the G2 Prix Foy here last month, and, with his champion trainer indicating beforehand that he might need that race, it was a good effort. He needs good or preferably fast ground.

Ruler Of The World

His finest hour came when he produced a sustained burst to win the G1 Epsom Derby in 2013. However it was perhaps one of the lesser versions of that great race and Ruler Of The World subsequently had his weaknesses exposed with a string of defeats, including when only 7th in this race last year. However he bounced back to win a G2 Arc trial last month, new and aggressive tactics seeming to perk him up.

Al Kazeem

A triple G1 winner though only sixth, beaten 11.5 lengths, behind Treve in this great race last year. He was then sent off to stud but that failed to make an impact in that sphere. Since his return to racing action he has won a G3 but, though this distance suits, it would be a major surprise if he was up to this task though some rain would help his cause.

Ivanhowe

An unexposed four-year-old who has only had seven starts in his gradually progressive career. German-trained contenders should not be underestimated in top French races and this guy made his claim to be a serious Arc candidate when producing a strong-late surge in a G1 at Baden-Baden last month even though the hot favourite underperformed that day. No stamina worries.

Spiritjim

Has had an excellent season, winning his first three starts - including at G2 level. He then pounced fast and late to win a G1 at Saint-Cloud only to subsequently lose the race after testing positive to a banned substance. In his Arc trial here last month, he raced a bit too freely and also got into a barging match with another horse. He ran a respectable third there, is at his best over this distance but just might not be quite good enough for Arc glory.

Gold Ship

Whether he performs well or badly seems to depend on his mood, but when he is happy he is a very good horse witnessed by him become the first horse in history to win one of Japan's most valuable G1 events twice. Since then he has finished a close second to his Japanese compatriot and Arc rival Harp Star in a G2 in August.

Just A Way

Did not make immediate headlines and only won two of his first 15 starts. However he started to really progress late last year notably when beating Japanese star Gentildonna 4 lengths in a G1 last October. However that did not compare to his staggering victory in the G1 Dubai Duty Free at Meydan in March when he lowered the 1800m course record by a stunning 2.41s. Hugely talented but some stamina worries at this distance.

Treve

There have been few more stylish winners in Arc history than her 5-length victory in this great race last year, accelerating clear of championship-rated rivals. However nothing has gone right for her this year and it was disappointing that she ran out of steam in the closing stages of her Arc trial - albeit at G1 level - last month. However her trainer insists she will be spot-on for this attempt to be the first back-to-back Arc winner since 1978.

Chicquita

Very lightly raced, she was formerly trained in France but she made a successful raid on Ireland when winning a G1 over this distance despite maintaining her dangerous habit of hanging markedly across the course. She reappeared over a year later - last month - with an encouraging performance. It would be a major surprise, however, if she was good enough for this task.

Siljan's Saga

She has won five of her 15 starts, including a victory at G2 level. She also ran really well on her G1 debut, at Saint-Cloud. That was especially good as she had got upset before the race. However she failed to shine in the G1 Prix Vermeille at Longchamp last month and probably needs soft ground to have any chance.

Ectot

The winner of six of his seven starts. Problems (played down by this trainer) kept him off the track from April until September, but his last-to-first winning surge in the G2 Prix Niel (traditionally a reliable Arc trial) was highly impressive. He proved that he could handle this distance that day, and it is no surprise that he is one of favourites for this year's Arc.

Montviron

The winner of one of his four starts - a minor event at Longchamp over 2000m in June. Trained like Ectot by Elie Lellouche, he is surely competing in a pacemaking capacity.

Prince Gibraltar

A G1 winner at two, he started favourite for the French Derby at Chantilly in June but had a horrible trip that day and, by the time he got space, it was too late -finishing third. He then went even closer to a G1 victory over this course and distance with no excuses that day. Not at his classy best in one subsequent start.

Kingston Hill

A brilliant two-year-old who has translated his ability to his three-year-old career including his second place in the Epsom Derby and his victory in the G1 St Leger on his latest start, coming with a sustained surge up the Doncaster straight to beat 11 classy rivals over that 2920m trip. The shorter distance - and shorter home straight - might not play to his best strengths but he is a real tough operator.

Free Port Lux

A fluent G2 winner over 2200m here at Longchamp in May before a bitterly disappointing performance in the French Derby. He has run better since and landed a Longchamp G3 last month. However that was a hard-fought victory and he'll need to progress further in this much stronger event. Soft ground would help.

Avenir Certain

Has the exciting accolade of being unbeaten in all her six starts. She has achieved the rare feat of winning both French fillies' Classics this year - both G1 events - and showing sparkling acceleration each time. She warmed up for this with another convincing victory in August, but is moving up from 2000m to 2400m, and it also may be a worry that jockey Gregory Benoist has picked Ectot over her.

Dolniya

She only started racing in late April but her figures suggested rapid race-by-race improvement, climaxing with a G2 victory over this distance at Saint-Cloud in June. She then had a break before finishing third in last month's G1 Prix Vermeille - held up for a late surge but not being able to get there in time. She still looks to be progressing.

Taghrooda

Unquestionably one of the major European stars this year, and her defeat of some confirmed G1 contenders at Ascot in July - showing fabulous acceleration - took her to star quality status. Narrowly defeated at odds of 1-5 at York in August but found to be 'in season' subsequently. A very classy contender - and worthy favourite - who would be seen at her best on good or faster ground.

Harp Star

She has won five of her seven starts and, arguably, she should have won the Japanese Oaks - over this distance - on her penultimate start had she benefitted from a better ride. She prepped for this with an excellent performance - defeating her Japanese rival Gold Ship - in a G2 in August. Her trainer thinks she has a much better chance on good rather than soft ground.

Tapestry

She has won three of her eight starts with by far her finest moment coming when she upset the brilliant Taghrooda in a G1 at York in August, coming with a sustained run from last place. Admittedly Taghrooda wasn't at her best that day and Tapestry also disappointed when dropped to 1600m for a subsequent start. But connections still thought it worthwhile to pay a substantial figure to supplement her into the race.