Longchamp's top-class card on Sunday includes three notable Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and current favourite Sarafina will be in action.
Andre Fabre has strong hand on Arc Trials Day
Alain de Royer-Dupre has warned
Sarafina is not at the peak of her powers ahead of Sunday's
Qatar Prix Foy at Longchamp.
The four-year-old was an unlucky third in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe over course and distance last October, and Europe's premier middle-distance prize is firmly on her agenda again.
She has done nothing wrong so far this year, building on an encouraging comeback second to Planteur with two successes at Saint-Cloud.
But the latest of those victories, in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, was back in June, and her trainer believes his his star filly will improve significantly for this weekend's run.
"She is OK, but this is only preparation for the big race and she is not at her peak fitness," warned Royer-Dupre.
"I have been very happy with her this season and she has had a nice break since her last run at Saint-Cloud.
"She is in good form but she always needs her first run after a break, so I would expect her to improve. This is a trial."
Japanese Challenge
Just four runners go to post, with Aidan O'Brien's
St Nicholas Abbey joined by Japanese-trained pair of
Hiruno D'Amour and last year's Arc runner-up
Nakayama Festa.
Shingo Soma, from the Japan Racing Association, said: "Both horses had their final preparations for the trial in Chantilly and their trainers are very happy.
"Mitsugu Kon says Hiruno D'Amour is in very good condition and he worked with his training partner last Wednesday.
"Everything went very well and his connections are expecting a big run.
"Nakayama Festa was due to work last Wednesday also but his trainer Yoshitaka Ninomiya said the horse got a little excited, so he went somewhere else to work on his own.
"But Mr Ninomiya says he is very happy with the horse's preparation, so hopefully he will run well."
Prix Vermeille
Galikova aims to open her account at the highest level and book her place in the Arc field in the
Qatar Prix Vermeille.
Although narrowly beaten when favourite for the Prix de Diane, Freddie Head's filly oozed class when scoring at Deauville last time.
"I hope she can run well and I hope she can win, but it is a good race," said Head.
"It was a very good performance from her in Deauville and her preparation has gone very well since. Everything is fine.
"I think she will get the distance well and the ground should not be a problem, so we will see what happens.
"If she can win, then the Arc would be a possibility, of course."
Royer-Dupre is represented in the Vermeille by recent Deauville winner
Shareta, but he believes Galikova is likely to prove too strong.
He said: "She is in very good condition and has done well this season, but this is very difficult competition.
"I hope she can run well but Galikova is going to be very difficult to beat."
Six runners have been declared for the Vermeille, with
Wonder Of Wonders representing O'Brien.
Prix Niel
The third major trial is the
Qatar Prix Niel, in which Andre Fabre's Grand Prix de Paris winner
Meandre takes top billing.
Fabre has trained seven previous winners of the Arc and with Epsom Derby hero Pour Moi now retired, Meandre looks to be his major hope for this year's renewal.
Fabre also saddles
King Of Arnor in the Niel, while Royer-Dupre is represented by
Reliable Man and
Vadamar.
He said: "Reliable Man is very well and I hope he can run a good race and Vadamar is coming back from a break.
"The ground was too firm for him when he ran in the Epsom Derby and I hope there is more rain for him."
Completing a six-runner field is John Gosden's
Colombian and the third potential Arc runner for Japan,
Nakayama Knight.
