The China Mail - Minnie Hauk, Graffard, Japan vie for Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe glory

The race may lack superstar horses compared to previous editions but it is a wide open contest with many of the 18 runners holding valid chances of winning the five million euro ($5.9 million) contest.

AFP Sport picks out some of them:

Wertheimer brothers scent success

The blue with white stripes colours of the Wertheimer family, owners of Chanel, have been carried to Arc glory on three occasions, all of them fillies, Ivanjica and Gold River (for the late Jacques) in 1976 and 1981 and most recently Solemia (for his sons Gerard and Alain) in 2012.

A relatively low return for one of the historic French owner/breeder operations but they entertain two live hopes this year.

Aventure and Sosie return for another tilt having finished second and fourth in last year's Arc respectively.

Aventure warmed-up with victory in the Prix Vermeille, a race that Bluestocking won on her way to winning the Arc last year.

Her trainer Christophe Ferland is in a better frame of mind this time round, the Vermeille victory lifted some of the pressure and he is delighted with how Aventure has progressed.

"I'm going through it all serenely, without the pressure I felt last year," he said.

"We have this motto: 'We win together, we lose together!' Her second place last year was deeply emotional for me."

Sosie's trainer Andre Fabre was more than happy with his colt's second in last month's Prix Foy, behind Japanese raider Byzantine Dream, as the remarkable 79-year-old Frenchman, who also saddles Cualificar, seeks a record-extending ninth win in the Arc.

Graffard Arc trio in top gear

Francis Graffard's father once wanted him to become a Formula One driver, fortunately his son's career trajectory suggests he chose the right path. This term he has had a series of equine McLarens roaring out of his stables, winning 10 Group One races.

He saddles three in the hope of winning the Arc for the first time, Prix de Diane (French Oaks) winner Gezora, the improving Daryz and Quisisana, who qualified automatically winning the Prix Jean Romanet in August.

Daryz, who runs in the historic Aga Khan Stud silks, has pleased Graffard enormously, though, his one caveat is "he is still mentally tender" and he worries in a big field like Sunday's "he could become tense".

Quisisana does not have many miles on the clock owing to injuries despite being five-years-old, and Graffard says she will "relish the trip" and is in "top condition".

However, Gezora, owned by 78-year-old American Peter Brant, remains his biggest chance,

"Her strengths include her suitability for the 2,400-metre (1 1/2 miles) distance, her tactical versatility during a race, and the weight allowance for three-year-old fillies," said Graffard.

"She's in great form and will give her best."

Brant used to beg off school early so he could go and place bets on horses, now it is normally an early night for him but he may be forgiven if he stays up a bit later on Sunday should Gezora take the honours.

Poor draw threatens to dash Japan Arc dream

Hopes were high early in the week that Japan could finally fulfil their dream of winning the Arc, which has been a 56-year saga of frustration and on occasion heartbreak.

Those hopes took a significant dip on Thursday when their two principal fancies Japanese Derby winner Croix du Nord and Byzantine Dream, both winners of their French warm-up races, were handed unfavourable draws on the outside.

The third runner Alohi Alii, to be ridden by Frenchman Christophe Lemaire, drew a highly favourable starting stall.

Nevertheless although Croix du Nord's odds lengthened post the draw, his trainer, Takashi Saito, thinks the world of the horse whose owners Sunday Racing twice finished runner-up, with the great Orfevre.

He is not in the least concerned Japanese Derby winner Croix du Nord, whose jockey Yuichi Kitamura believes is the strongest horse in the world, comes to the Arc lightly-raced.

"I have no concerns whatsoever," he said.

"Lammtarra in 1995 won with little experience."

K.Leung--ThChM