Scandinavia targets the Prix du Cadran and Sunly points toward the Prix de Royallieu

The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe festival gets underway this Saturday, featuring high-caliber clashes in the Prix de Chaudenay, Prix Dollar, and Prix Daniel Wildenstein

PARIS, France (Special for Turf Diario).— Stayers will have plenty to say this Saturday at ParisLongchamp, where the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) weekend kicks off. Before Sunday’s marquee event, the program will deliver an appealing card of its own, highlighted by the Prix du Cadran (G1) and the Prix de Royallieu (G1), along with three other graded stakes promising much more than just a warm-up.

The 2,800 meters of the Prix de Royallieu were chosen as the pathway for Sunly (Night of Thunder), the Juddmonterepresentative who skipped a potential run in the Arc to target her first top-level victory here. The Francis-Henri Graffard trainee lands a prime opportunity, though the pivot in plans is far from a guarantee of an easy afternoon.

Her back-to-back third-place efforts in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (G1) and the Prix Vermeille (G1) provide solid ground to top the morning lines. Well-accustomed to locking horns with high-caliber opposition, she will look to convert that consistency into her breakthrough top-flight win.

The British opposition looms as the primary hurdle. Waardah (Postponed) and Consent (Lope de Vega), first and third in the Park Hill Stakes (G2), arrive boasting proven stamina credentials, while Santorini Star (Golden Horn) will seek to improve upon the runner-up finish she achieved in this very race twelve months ago. Also deserving attention is Earth Shot (Time Test), fourth in the Yorkshire Oaks (G1).

Shipping in from Ballydoyle is Amelia Earhart (Camelot), whose third-place finish in the St Leger Stakes (G1) at Doncaster revived her prospects after unplaced efforts in the Oaks (G1) and Irish Oaks (G1). That performance against males makes her a foe to take seriously.

In the Prix du Cadran, Scandinavia (Justify) will draw a significant portion of the spotlight. The stayer enters off a victory over stablemate Queenstown (Galileo) in the Irish St Leger (G1) and travels to France for the first time aiming for his sixth Group 1 conquest. On credentials and current form, he will be the horse to beat.

However, standing in his path is defending champion Caballo De Mar (Phoenix of Spain), who returns to Longchamp shortly after capturing the Doncaster Cup (G2) a bit over three weeks ago. His pursuit of a third G1 title comes with a stiffer test than last year's edition: retaining his crown will require subduing one of the division's form horses.

Queenstown, third in last season's Prix du Cadran, will try his luck once more, while dual G1 winner Double Major(Daiwa Major) carries the primary hopes for the local contingent. The lineup is completed by Mr Hollywood(Iquitos), runner-up in the 2023 Deutsches Derby (G1) and now under the care of Willie Mullins, possessing the tools to contend for top honors.

3-year-old stayers will have their turn in the Prix de Chaudenay (G2) over 3,000 meters, where Victoire Magique(Victor Ludorum) aims to extend his upward trajectory. Victorious in three of his last four starts, he comes off wins in August's Prix Michel Houyvet (L) at Deauville and last month's Prix Gérald de Geoffre (G3) over this very distance.

The Solario Racing runner will be joined by stablemate Jabracadabra (Cracksman), winner of the Grand Prix de Craon (L) and runner-up to Varandir (Dubawi)—one of the Arc contenders—in May's Prix Hocquart (G3).

A rematch with Space Waltz (American Pharoah) adds further intrigue: the latter finished second to Victoire Magique in his most recent outing, but had bested him in June's Prix du Lys (G3). Joining them is Pierre Bonnard(Camelot), third in the Irish Derby (G1) and second in the Great Voltigeur Stakes (G2), who needs to rebound from a disappointing effort in the St Leger Stakes. Lightly raced Asakir (Zaral) possesses room for growth, though scratchings from his last three scheduled engagements leave his actual participation as the first question mark.

In the Prix Daniel Wildenstein (G2-1,600 m), Quddwah (Kingman) stands out as a focal point within a particularly competitive field. Second to Ombudsman (Night of Thunder) in March's Dubai Turf (G1), he resurfaced in Europe with a victory in the Solonaway Stakes (G2) and enters in prime condition to build on that momentum.

He will not lack high-class rivals. Five-time G1 winner Fallen Angel (Too Darn Hot) arrives following a placing in the Matron Stakes (G1); Qirat (Showcasing) retains credit from his shocking 150-1 upset in last season's Sussex Stakes (G1); and Ridari (Churchill) will defend the victory that preceded his €950,000 public sale.

Rounding out the contenders with legitimate claims are Sir Isaac Newton (Camelot), fourth in the Solonaway Stakes; Elastic (Lope de Vega), fifth in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains (G1); and Anakova, fresh off a win in the Prix Bertrand de Tarragon (G3).

The Prix Dollar (G2) provides another compelling showdown, with Wimbledon Hawkeye (Kameko) searching for a reward to match his recent performances. A close third behind Hotazhell (Too Darn Hot) in July's Grosser Dallmayr-Preis (G1) and again finishing right alongside that rival in the Irish Champion Stakes (G1), he captured the Prix Gontaut-Biron (G3) in between those starts.

His candidacy will face opposition from Distant Storm (Night of Thunder), a place-getter in the Dewhurst Stakes(G1) as well as both the English and Irish 2000 Guineas (G1), and recent winner of the Prix Daphnis (G3). Zaydann(Dubawi), fifth in the Juddmonte International (G1) after five consecutive victories, and Phineas (Lope de Vega), who seeks a fifth straight win after taking the Prix du Prince d’Orange (G3), round out a wide-open field.

The Arc will command world attention on Sunday. But Longchamp will begin demanding answers starting Saturday, featuring champions defending their turf, rising stars looking to step up, and several unsettled scores among top-flight figures.