How the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe unfolded on testing ground at Longchamp

The start

There was an even break to the Arc with Fierement and Blast Onepiece – two of three runners from Japan – forcing the pace in the first furlong.

Sottsass, Waldgeist and Magical were up with the pace, but Ghaiyyath came with a sweeping run on the outside to lead and ensure a decent gallop in testing conditions.

Enable was positioned in mid-division during the early exchanges with her jockey Frankie Dettori tracking Donnacha O’Brien on Magical.

Japan, Soft Light and Nagano Gold were among those in rear.

Halfway

Dettori made a notable move on Enable with the superstar mare moving up to fourth, three lengths clear of eventual winner Waldgeist, who was briefly niggled along.

The injection in pace from front-runner Ghaiyyath had the field stretched. Magical tracked Ghaiyyath alongside Fierement, while Sottsass, Waldgeist and Japan were going well in behind Enable.

Entering home straight

As Fierement backpedalled on the turn into the home straight, Enable cruised into contention and looked poised to pounce in a close third behind Ghaiyyath and Magical.

Enable travelled best as Ghaiyyath gave way, leaving Magical in front with two furlongs to run.

The favourite was soon upsides with Sottsass and Japan in close contention, while Pierre-Charles Boudot angled wide on Waldgeist with one and a half furlongs to run.

A furlong to run

Enable edged to the far rail but started to assert approaching the final furlong. It appeared history was going to be made and she hit 1.06 in running on the Betfair Exchange.

Sottsass and Japan were her nearest pursuers but nearing half a furlong out the race took a dramatic turn.

Waldgeist, closest to the stands, had earlier hit 40 in running but came with a withering run and suddenly Enable’s crown looked in doubt.

The winning post

Hopes for a fairy tale third Arc victory for Enable were dashed by the 50-metre marker as Waldgeist powered to the front.

A dual winner on soft ground coming into the race, Waldgeist’s stamina proved superior as he stayed on dourly to defeat Enable by a length and three-quarters.

Sottsass and Japan battled it out for third, with the former edging it by half a length, while Magical kept on for fifth and supplementary entry Soft Light fared best of the rest.

Pierre-Charles Boudot celebrates winning the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe aboard WaldgeistCredit: Alan Crowhurst

For the freshest betting advice, based on latest going and market conditions, don't miss the Live Tipster every afternoon. Just click Raceday Live at racingpost.com or the mobile app