Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe preview and tip: Katie Midwinter's guide

The most valuable race in Europe takes place on Sunday, as fifteen contenders attempt to become the latest winner of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

The prestigious race has been won by countless superstars in the past, and whilst there may not be a standout horse in this year’s field, it is an open contest from which a true great could emerge. Despite perhaps lacking the depth in quality that has become synonymous with the contest over the years, it includes a number of progressive youngsters, Classic winners and proven Group One horses.

Unbeaten colt Ace Impact is the favourite and has been handed a favourable draw from stall 8, whilst drawn on his inside is the supplemented St Leger winner Continuous, who will attempt to become the first horse to win the Doncaster Classic and the Arc in the same season. The Japanese-bred Ballydoyle representative, who is by the late Heart’s Cry, would be a poignant winner in the year of his sire’s passing, and his proven stamina on varying ground conditions makes him a reliable choice.

King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Hukum faces a tough task from a wide draw in stall 14, but holds leading claims if jockey Jim Crowley can manoeuvre his mount into a good position early on, whilst Ascot runner-up Westover will need to break quickly from stall 1 if he is to be in contention.

Japanese-raider Through Seven Seas was last seen finishing a neck second to Equinox in a Hanshin Grade One, and will be dangerous if she is able to replicate that level of form, whilst German Derby winner Fantastic Moon, also supplemented for the race, is unwise to discount following an emphatic Prix Niel success at the track in early September.

Free Wind, representing John & Thady Gosden, is set to be Frankie Dettori’s final ride in a special race he has won six times, the first of those successes aboard Lammtarra in 1995. The daughter of Galileo will likely need a career-best to beat this field, but Dettori has been enjoying countless successes in his final year, and it would be no surprise to see him produce a masterful ride to win the most prestigious prize of them all.

There is value among the outsiders, with Place Du Carrousel, a sole representative for leading trainer André Fabre, capable of posing a threat if at her best. Former German Derby winner Sisfahan, a three-figure price, has form behind Arc winners Torquator Tasso and Alpinista in recent years and has little to find with Simca Mille on Hoppegarten form. The Hank Grewe-trained horse may be overlooked and capable of producing a big performance.

Selection: Continuous.