Japanese fans arrive in force ahead of wide-open Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe

Might this be the year? Four Japanese horses go to post in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (3.05) and to judge by early arrivals among racing fans when the Honneur de Grille main gates to this venerable stretch of racing real estate were opened, the supporters of Titleholder, Do Deuce, Deep Bond and Stay Foolish have travelled in greater numbers than for some time.

Estimates run to as many as 2,000 Japanese ticket-holders, while there is a significant annual armada of press and TV here to cover the challenge.

The conventional wisdom is that rain will wash away their chances but it should be remembered that El Condor Pasa (1999), Nakayama Festa (2010) and Orfevre (2012 and 2013) all ran mighty races to be second in years when the Arc might easily have been renamed the Ark.

Good luck messages for the Japanese runners ahead of this year's Arc at LongchampCredit: Edward Whitaker

On the evidence of Saturday's 8,000 strong crowd, the annual invasion of British and Irish pilgrims has not really been dented by the gathering economic storm. Any Group 1 winner from those shores on Sunday afternoon will be roared to the rafters.

The bars on the lawns by the side of the paddock rang to the sounds of anglophone revellers on Saturday evening and if the visitors begin to run up the score early, the ambience will once again be more Covent Garden or Temple Bar than the Boulevard St Germain.

In particular those travelling from Ireland will be looking to get stuck into Luxembourg, who has the power to contract as favourite on track after Kyprios ran away with the Cadran on Saturday.

Will it be the Aidan and Ryan show again shortly after 3pm on Sunday at Longchamp?Credit: Edward Whitaker

The rain has yet to arrive for Torquator Tasso but it is forecast to coincide with the start of racing, with the heaviest band due to coincide with the great race itself.

Trainer Marcel Weiss is adamant his reigning champion does not need it really deep but Frankie Dettori will silently cheer every drop that falls between now and just after 4pm local time.

Many of his rivals will hope that, as when Best Mate landed his historic hat-trick at Cheltenham, the rain stays away until the horses are already walking back in front of the packed stands.

If the local turfistes do unite to get behind one horse to save French honour than that might be their Derby winner Vadeni.

Doubts about the ground and the trip persist, while controversy swirls around the head of Christophe Soumillon.

But the man himself remains relaxed and, to use his own words, in his own bubble.

His last contribution on day one of this magnificent weekend was to race solo up the inside rail on the rapidly improving Erevann to win the Prix Daniel Wildenstein.

A repeat performance might not please the travelling thousands, but les turfistes will care not one jot.

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