Arc trials day: Sottsass heads hopefuls facing final rehearsals at Longchamp

French Derby winner Sottsass makes his eagerly awaited reappearance in the Qatar Prix Niel (3.25), one of the highlights on a trials card which last provided the winner of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in 2014.

It was impossible not to be taken by the performance of Sottsass in the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly and, should he prove his stamina for the extra furlong and a half here, his price of 8-1 for the Arc has the scope to contract significantly.

Trainer Jean-Claude Rouget said: "He worked well on Tuesday at Deauville with Veronesi acting as his pacemaker, as he will be on Sunday."

With Aidan O'Brien largely concentrating on Irish Champions Weekend it is left to Mohawk to represent Ballydoyle, while Sarah Steinberg brings German Derby fourth Quest The Moon back to the scene of his Prix du Lys success.

Carlos Laffon-Parias has chosen not to pitch the progressive Mutamakina in against her own sex in the Vermeille and comes here instead.

"She was caught out for experience in the Prix de la Nonette where she got a bit lost in among horses before finishing well," said Laffon-Parias. "I like her a lot and in the Vermeille she would have had four horses to beat whereas here there is just the one."

Waldgeist and Kiseki on trial in Prix Foy

It may have attracted just four runners but the Qatar Prix Foy (1.35) could still have a bearing on the ante-post market for the Arc as Waldgeist and Japanese challenger Kiseki will not just be running for place money on the first Sunday in October.

Waldgeist has a win in the Prix Ganay and placed efforts in the Prince of Wales's Stakes and the King George to his name this seasonCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Waldgeist looks an improved performer from the one who sauntered to success over a pair of stablemates in this race 12 months ago, finishing third to Enable and Crystal Ocean in that epic King George after filling the same spot in far from ideal conditions in the Prince of Wales's Stakes.

Trainer Andre Fabre said: "He's in good shape. It's always frustrating to see these trials with no runners but, on the other hand, you can say that it’s better to have an easy race before the Arc. We’ll just take it as it comes, while it looks as if the Japanese horse, Kiseki, is a galloper."

Kiseki and assistant trainer Hiroaki Kiyoma return to their quarters in Chantilly after Christophe Soumillon had ridden the five-year-old son of Rulership in a gallop on Les Aigles Saturday morningCredit: Racing Post / Scott Burton

Kiseki is still available at 40-1 in places for the Arc but that is far from a true reflection of his talent and the five-year-old son of Rulership has the potential to put himself firmly in the picture for the big race itself if he can come close to matching a yardstick like Waldgeist.

As Fabre pointed out, Kiseki is a horse renowned for his ability to keep up a sustained pace and, while he has not been as demonstrative as some previous visitors from Japan when it comes to morning work in Chantilly, it would be a surprise were Christophe Soumillon to allow this to turn into a two-furlong sprint.

"Kiseki's main attribute is his long stride and physically he seems in good condition and to be moving well," said trainer Katsuhiko Sumii, whose previous Arc challenge with Victoire Pisa ended in a seventh-placed finish behind Workforce in 2010. "He's perhaps a little lighter than usual but he's very relaxed and in a good mental state."

Sumii continued: "With so few runners I expect Kiseki and Waldgeist to be man-marking one another, though I imagine we will be in front of him. The Arc is the main goal and the result is less important than the progress he shows towards that final target."

The field is completed by the seven-year-old Silverwave – a winner of this race three years ago when trained by Pascal Bary – and the admirable Way To Paris, who has been running well over staying distances this summer.

Niel v Foy: how the trials compare

The Foy is renowned as having a terrible record for finding the Arc winner, with Subotica the last horse to triumph in 1992, having been beaten here three weeks earlier.

It has proved a useful source of placed horses for the big day in recent years – often at double-figure prices – while defeat in the trial doesn't preclude an upgraded performance in the Arc itself, as has been the case in each of the last two editions with Cloth Of Stars.

Prix Foy runners to be placed in the Arc over the last decade

2018 3rd Cloth Of Stars (3rd in Foy)

2017 2nd Cloth Of Stars (2nd in Foy)

2014 2nd Flintshire (2nd in Foy)

2013 2nd Orfevre (won Foy)

2012 2nd Orfevre (won Foy)

2010 2nd Nakayama Festa (2nd in Foy)

Orfevre twice used success in the Prix Foy as a springboard for the ArcCredit: Scoop Dyga

The Prix Niel enjoyed a real purple patch between 1994 and 2006, producing ten Arc winners in 13 years (Peintre Celebre and Bago were both beaten in the Niel but went on to win the Arc in that period).

Its influence has waned since Rail Link completed the double in 2006, with only two runners – both trained by Andre Fabre – hitting the frame in the Arc itself.

Prix Niel runners to be placed in the Arc over the last decade

2015 3rd New Bay (won Niel)

2009 3rd Cavalryman (won Niel)

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