The heavens are set to open but the 100th Arc is a race worthy of the gods

What is arguably the world's greatest city boasts indisputably the world's greatest Flat race. Throughout our lifetimes, Paris has been the place to be on the first Sunday in October. Now, as this celebration of excellence is staged for the 100th time, that has never been more true.

The imaginative souls who in 1920 created the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe left a legacy that has surely far exceeded even their wildest dreams. In its 99 runnings the Arc has established itself as an institution that transcends all the globe's rival major Flat prizes. It invariably comes out top on ratings. More importantly, in the hearts and minds of racing fans it is the best.

Seeking to join the likes of Ribot, Sea-Bird, Dancing Brave and Sea The Stars is an illustrious cast whose principal performers bring the sort of endless fascination and fabulousness an Arc demands. We have the superpower stables, Classic winners aplenty, the traditional Anglo-Irish invasion and two aspirants seeking to make a most dearly held Japanese dream come true.