ParisLongchamp Sunday

2.50 Qatar Prix Vermeille (Group 1) (3yo+ Fillies) 1m 4f.

Holding Group 1 status has helped the Qatar Prix Vermeille attract an excellent field, unlike the other two features on Arc Trials Day at ParisLongchamp tomorrow which are both likely to turn into little more than glorified public gallops for their respective hot-favourites, Waldgeist and Sottsass.

The Vermeille could be billed as a head-to-head between the reigning champion trainers of Britain and Ireland, as John Gosden and Aidan O’Brien each saddle two leading contenders.

They are the first three home from the Irish Oaks – Star Catcher for Gosden and Fleeting and Pink Dogwood for O’Brien – and Anapurna, who has not been seen since giving Gosden a third Investec Oaks success when holding off Pink Dogwood and Fleeting at Epsom three months ago.

Frankie Dettori has chosen Star Catcher rather than her stablemate and the form book gives some evidence that his decision could be a wise one, as she beat Pink Dogwood by five lengths at the Curragh, while Anapurna had only a neck in hand over the same rival at Epsom.

However, an alternative line could be taken through Fleeting, who was a length and a half adrift of Anapurna at Epsom then was exactly the same margin behind Star Catcher in the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot before narrowing that gap to a neck in the Irish classic.

Pink Dogwood does seem to be somewhat on the downward curve but Fleeting should be forgiven last month’s fourth place in Chicago as she was badly hampered in the closing stages.

Preference is still for the Gosden duo, with the more battle-hardened Star Catcher taken to continue Dettori’s Group 1-winning spree ahead of Anapurna, who may be a little short of full race fitness following her summer-long break.

The home team is led by the Prix de Diane heroine, Channel, though that classic was a very muddling affair (with a length and a quarter covering the first six home) and Francis Graffard’s filly was greatly helped by racing close to a slow pace. She has since been firmly put in her place when only seventh in the Nassau Stakes.

Similarly, Tamniah was perfectly suited by the way last month’s falsely-run Prix Minerve panned out and was greatly flattered by that Group 3 success.

More interesting French candidates are Villa Marina, whose Group 3 Prix de Psyche victory has been boosted by last week’s big-money American triumph from the runner-up, Edisa, and Musis Amica, who has not lived up to expectations this season but merits respect on her close second in last year’s Diane.

SELECTION: STAR CATCHER

Next Best: Anapurna

1.35 Qatar Prix Foy (Group 2) (4yo+ Colts & Fillies) 1m 4f

Just four line up in the Qatar Prix Foy but at least a decent gallop looks guaranteed as the 2017 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) winner and 2018 Japan Cup runner-up, Kiseki, likes to force the pace.

This is a truly international affair, as Kiseki’s opponents, though all trained in France, are the German-owned Waldgeist, the Italian-owned Way To Paris, and Silverwave, who runs in the colours of the American, Martin Schwartz.

It is hard to look beyond the reigning champion, Waldgeist, when searching for the winner. A reproduction of his close third to Enable in the King George would surely see him prevail, though he should improve upon that form now that he finally encounters his favoured fast ground.

SELECTION: WALDGEIST

Next Best: Way To Paris

3.25 Qatar Prix Niel (Group 2) (3yo Colts & Fillies) 1m 4f

Sottsass reappears for the first time since his impressive Prix du Jockey-Club victory in early June in the five-runner Qatar Prix Niel. With Veronesi recently recruited to act as his pacemaker, this Jean-Claude Rouget-trained colt should have little trouble completing his Prix de l’Arc de Tripmphe preparations with a victory.

Mutamakina, who has side-stepped the Prix Vermeille to run here, could fill second spot ahead of Aidan O’Brien’s Meld Stakes winner Mohawk.

SELECTION: SOTTSASS

Next Best: Mutamakina

On the undercard, Dean Ivory’s still improving seven-year-old Stake Acclaim may plunder a British victory in the Group 3 Qatar Prix du Petit Couvert over five furlongs, whereas Graignes can take advantage of a drop in class to land the Group 3 Qatar Prix du Pin over seven furlongs.