Royer-Dupre hunting eighth Royallieu with Valia as he bids for farewell success

The Cadran is far from the only show in town at Longchamp on an eve-of-Arc card that improves with each passing year.

The Prix de Royallieu (2.50) is now in its third year as a Group 1 and over the extended trip of 1m6f, and in Valia, trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre has an excellent chance of extending his record to eight wins in the race on what will be his final Arc weekend with a licence.

"She was a little disappointing at Deauville when she didn't entirely go through with her effort, but her preparations have gone well," said Royer-Dupre, who also saddles the progressive Dilawar in the Prix Daniel Wildenstein earlier on the card. "This is her trip and soft ground will suit her as she stays very well."

Valia has to find a short neck with Joie De Soir from August's Prix de Pomone at Deauville when both fillies were held up on a day when coming from off the pace was less than ideal.

Believe In Love will attempt to kick off the weekend in style for the Maeda family ahead of Deep Bond's bid for Arc glory.

Arguably her best form has been when travelling away from Newmarket, winning on heavy ground at Saint-Cloud last October and then storming to success in the Group 3 Stanerra Stakes at Leopardstown in July.

She must put a disappointing effort, when well adrift of Wonderful Tonight at Goodwood, behind her, and trainer Roger Varian said: "If she brings her A-game she would have a decent each-way chance. She handles ease in the ground and her recent work has been encouraging."

Loving Dream should find life a little easier here than when fifth to Snowfall in the Yorkshire Oaks, and she could be a major player given connections expect her to thrive for the extra quarter mile

Joint-trainer Thady Gosden said: "It was soft at Ascot when she won the Ribblesdale Stakes so hopefully this ground will suit her well. The step up to a mile and six furlongs looks sure to play to her strengths and she goes there with a decent each-way shout."

The Qatar Prix Daniel Wildenstein (1.33) is a Group 1 in all but name, and whoever comes out on top will have been in a race.

The Revenant has won this race for the last two years, using it as a stepping stone to the QEII Stakes at Ascot both times, and trainer Francis Graffard has seen no reason to change that plan.

The Revenant: bids for a third straight success in the Prix Daniel WildensteinCredit: Edward Whitaker

"It's a tough race, but the horse is in super form and I'm very happy with him," said Graffard. "Now I just need the ground to go as soft as possible."

Godolphin have two live chances in the shape of the Andre Fabre-trained Victor Ludorum – last seen when third to Baaeed in the Group 1 Prix du Moulin over this course and distance – and Real World, who has gone from Royal Hunt Cup winner to genuine Pattern performer this summer.

"Real World worked well earlier in the week and heads to France in good form," said his trainer Saeed bin Suroor. "There is a question mark over the going being too soft and we will check the ground before he runs, but he is ready to go again."

Veterans Stormy Antarctic and Century Dream are perennially underestimated in the market, while at the other end of the age scale, this year's Poule d'Essai des Pouliches winner Coeursamba adds an extra dimensinon to the Group 2.

Trainer Jean-Claude Rouget said: "She was a slight surprise in winning the Poule, but she has a turn of foot and Longchamp suits her well. The Prix Rothschild was her first try on a straight track and Cristian [Demuro] said she was waiting for the bend."

The Qatar Prix Dollar (4.00) sees the return of Dubai Honour, who dented some big reputations while enhancing his own when taking the Group 2 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano at Deauville in August.

His trainer William Haggas said: "He's very well and keeps getting better. We've sort of saved him for the race."

Among his rivals will be Cadillac, who didn't enjoy much luck on a trip to Saratoga in August and is much better judged on his Group 3 win at the Curragh in June.

"He's in great form and we're looking forward to the race," said trainer Jessica Harrington. "We've the best jockey on board in Olivier Peslier and he goes over there with a great chance."

The Varian-trained Third Realm is on a slight recovery mission following his Great Voltigeur seventh and drops back in trip here, while Dante Stakes second Megallan is moving in the other direction after scoring at a mile in Salisbury's Sovereign Stakes last time.

Charlie Appleby has a fine chance of starting with a winner as Manobo is likely to go off a short price in the Prix Chaudenay (12.23), while Kemari adds a second string to the Godolphin bow.

Brian Ellison also fields a rare runner in France in the shape of progressive handicapper Tashkhan.

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