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1722: There's plenty to look forward to in the next month or so for the Flat racers while much earlier on at Tipperary we saw a couple of Willie Mullins-trained horses who could be lighting up the winter.

Today was supposed to be all about Enable but events conspired against her.

We have, though, started and ended the day on brilliant, uplifting notes and the day has been full of joy and wonder despite the inauspicious start.

I hope you've enjoyed it and do join us again next Saturday when we'll be back to do it all again.

Goodbye for now.

1718: Laurent Barbarin has just caught up with Pierre-Charles Boudot: "I was very confident because One Master had been very relaxed and when I asked her she was very strong in the last furlong.

"I love her."

And on Abbaye winner Wooded: "Today he has been very quick and he did it easy in front. He can do five or six, enough for him, seven is too long."

1713: William Haggas: "We're very proud of her. She's a fantastic filly and seems to come good over this track and trip. Any ground is good for her but she's particularly good on soft ground and she was given another brilliant ride from Pierre-Charles.

"She wants to win, She's fantastic. She had to battle it out today. If you're going to win by a neck, she won by an ok neck.

"She's very laid back. Very easy to deal with. Jason who rides her every day is very patient with her. She doesn't do a lot of galloping, she knows how to race.

"We haven't missed a beat this year. She's run in every race we wanted to. I'm absolutely thrilled.

"She'll have another run I suppose if she's ok, she's in two races at Ascot and I quite fancy the Breeders' Cup. I'll have to talk to the owners but I'm thrilled for them, they're fantastic supporters of ours.

"I think More Style was the last horse to win two Forets and he was trained by Maureen' father and ridden by Maureen's uncle."

1706: There are two more handicaps to come from ParisLongchamp if that's your thing but the main attractions have run their races and the blog has almost done the same.

I'll be signing off shortly but will see if we can get some reaction to that historic success for One Master.

1702: One Master has enjoyed a fine season despite only winning once, prior to today, at Goodwood.

It was a perfectly good run in defeat at Doncaster when conceding weight to the well backed Wichita and she's run another terrifically game race here, this time coming out on the right side of the verdict.

1657: Earthlight got across from the outside quite early to lead with Safe Voyage and One Master in behind.

Safe Voyage floundered before picking up but both finished strongly and it was One Master who made history.

Tight for second. Earthlight confirmed in second ahead of John Quinn's runner who was really tough, it looked at one stage as though he was going nowhere.

One Master becomes the first horse to win three Prix de la Forets and the popular mare was returned the 2/1 favourite.

A fantastic performance and the day ends with no degree of irony as a six-year-old mare makes history on Arc day but not THE one.

1655: There has been some money for Earthlight now and we've almost got three 9/4 co-favourites.

1651: John Gosden on the Arc, speaking on Sky Sports Racing: "Frankie told me she was never happy on the ground. I asked Frankie why he didn't go on and he said 'she wasn't travelling well on it'. Then it became trying to save every little bit of energy for the straight and it was a bit of a dash down the straight.

"As it is it didn't work out for us, nor for Stradivarius, neither horse liked the deep holding ground. Wetter would have been ok but it turned sticky today.

"They didn't have a hard race, funnily enough they got off the track and they weren't blowing. It was rather an elaborate journey to go for a nice piece of work up the Longchamp straight."

Stradivarius could be back to bid for another Gold Cup next year but no decision has been taken on Enable, that lies with the owner.

1644: The money has been for One Master and Safe Voyage who both have plenty of form in testing ground and the former, of course, won this race last year and in 2018.

There's little between the pair in the market.

It's a shame Lope Y Fernandez wasn't able to line-up too and it is double figure prices outside the first three (Tropbeau shorter in places after his second to Earthlight last time) and it's hard to see too many of the others getting involved.

1638: There's one more Group One to come from ParisLongchamp and it's a ripper.

I'm rather a fan of Earthlight who gained a confidence boosting win last time but there's been little market support for him.

1629: Wooded (6/1) wins the Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp Longines.

Last year's winner Glass Slippers second, Liberty Beach third and Lady In France fourth.

I wonder if racing against the rail helped Pierre Charles Boudot whose mount looked around a little close home. That's some compensation for Francis Henri Graffard whose In Swoop was narrowly beaten in the Arc.

Glass Slippers ran a brave race about three of four off the rail, towards the centre of the track, and I thought momentarily might be getting on top; it was a fine run in defeat.

1621: The Prix de l'Abbaye is best watched from in front of a TV screen than at Longchamp itself where you can see remarkably little of what goes on.

I'm fairly sure Kempton used to have some random sprint track back in the day too but the memory isn't what it used to be.

Kevin Ryan seemed pretty bullish about the chance of Glass Slippers and I couldn't think of a good reason to oppose her.

Jason Weaver is making a case for 'fascinating contender' Wooded who is unexposed at this trip and available at an each-way price if that's your thing.

Laurent Barbarin reveals Wooded's connections are worried about the ground though. Air de Valse finished in front of him last time (Lady In France third) and is twice the price as Make A Challenge is proving a little reluctant to load.

He is in though and there aren't too many to go forward.

1615: This is a rather good video clip as jockey cameras go.

It's from Gold Trip and you get a real sense of how close he came to Stradivarius in the straight. Well worth a watch.

I thought there might have been more shouting!

1610: Kevin Ryan is at Tattersalls in Newmarket where Mick Fitzgerald has been collaring various trainers for interviews today.

"He (Tom Eaves) rang me after he walked the track, obviously very soft but it's fresh soft ground. She handled the ground last year, she handled the ground in Ireland, I don't think she really liked it. I've no issues with the ground.

"She's in great form, she's a joy to train. It would be lovely. She's such a tough filly. You'd imagine she'd have a big chance today."

1602: That's another big race success for Dermot Weld who was represented, I think (?!), by his son Mark in Paris.

"That was very, very special a fantastic performance. She's a really tough courageous filly. This is always one of the best races, sometimes the best race of Arc weekend, and we knew the Niarchos filly was always going to be the one to beat.....and we got there, we got there.....just a fantastic performance.

"She gets a free entry now I believe into the Breeders' Cup and it's a definite possibility."

It did sound rather as though this might be her final season.

1553: Off and racing for the Prix de l'Opera Longines and Alpine Star races in second behind Tawkeel.

It was another stead pace and the front-runners dominated until Tarnawa flew home.

I need to see a replay to see where she came from but that Vermeille form was so, so strong.

Alpine Star was second and Audarya, who raced in third, completed the places.

The winner came from a reasonable way back there which was a huge effort as the runner-up didn't appear to appreciate the slow gallop, seemingly outpaced when Tawkeel and Audarya began to sprint for home. She rallied admirably only to be mugged by Christophe Soumillon and the flying Tarnawa.

Cracking stuff.

1546: Francis-Henri Graffard is regretful that the pace in the Arc wasn't stronger for In Swoop as the gallop didn't suit him; the 'what ifs' that come out in the washing could break you if you dwelled too long on them.

He runs Tickle Me Green here and says "You can see physically how good she is. Last time was frustrating but at least she didn't have a race and she's spot on for today.

"She can run a big race today with a clear run."

1540: Alpine Star is a warm order for the Opera but I think she's worth opposing at the prices.

Tarnawa will do for many having scored impressively last time and the form of that race is working out particularly well but I'd be happy to have a dart with Audarya who was a shock winner at Deauville last time.

There are four places on offer with a lot of firms and she should race prominently which is no bad thing today. Her trainer James Fanshawe has handled some brilliant older racemares in his time and it's not impossible that this daughter of Wootton Bassett could still be improving.

1534: Onwards and upwards.

There will be reaction to the fallout from the Arc either here in the blog or on the racing pages on site and we'll try and keep you up to date with that but there is still plenty of top-class action to come.

None more so than in this 10 furlong Group One, the Prix de l'Opera.

Jean-Claude Rouget has just been interviewed on Sky Sports Racing: "We had only one target this race and the result is there today."

The Arc was the target and the whole season for Sottsass was geared around the race. Rouget seemed to indicate that he hoped the winner would be retired to stud.

He runs Tawkeel in the next and said: "I like unbeaten horses but she is running in a better field than usually, the competition will be hard but we will try to win."

1527: The result is OFFICIAL.

The places remain unaltered.

1525: We haven't got the story that many of us wanted but we did have an exciting race and a quality winner.

There should be a quality winner of the Prix de l'Opera which is up next at 1550.

Word comes via ITV Racing that Dettori told the media the ground was 'too deep, killed her action'.

That doesn't come as any great surprise and was obviously what John Gosden feared. At least they tried. We have to be thankful for that.

1522: It's a first Arc for Jean-Claude Rouget.

Unless the result is amended.

It could take quite a long time to sort this out. The head-on suggested Persian King shifted left, causing Sottsass to move in front of those behind him. At a similar time, Gold Trip edged right, from the outside and further back, exacerbating the effect on those in behind the leaders.

1512: Enable got involved in some scrimmaging in midfield when the fourth home Gold Trip leaned in on Stradivarius but it didn't make the difference between winning and losing. She looked to be travelling ominously well but didn't pick up as hoped for.

Raabihah finished with a rare flourish. I'd need to see a replay but not sure I'd be too chuffed if I'd backed her.

Matt Chapman is expressing surprise at the tactics employed by Dettori but I thought he had her in an excellent position despite the slow pace (his point) with the only concern as to whether Stradivarius might keep her in.

There is a stewards' inquiry and four horses are involved, first, third, fourth and sixth.

I can't believe they'll throw the winner out here but stranger things have happened.

1511: Sottsass wins the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

In Swoop was second and went mighty close while the front-running Persian King was third.

1504: It remains to be seen what tactics will be employed and where the pace comes from.

The draw usually has a significant impact on the Arc but that shouldn't be the case here with an unusually small field facing the starter.

Persian King is now into 15/2 but I can't see it myself. They're loading. Come on Enable.

1500: Remarkably the only other three-year-old in the field is In Swoop, the German Derby winner.

I liked his run behind Mogul on trials day where it appeared as though he would have appreciated a stronger pace. He should get that here but he doesn't exactly excite.

There will be plenty of hard-nosed (?) players taking a completely objective view of the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe but I'm not one of them.

The field have paraded and are on their way down to the start.

I wasn't paying full (any) attention but Matt Chapman has just reeled through some trends and announced that Enable is the only runner in the field who ticks all of the boxes.

1456: Three-year-old fillies have a terrific record in the Arc and there appears to be some belated support for Raabihah. The form of the Vermeille has been working out well and she did take the eye of Value Bet.

She receives 7lbs from Enable and is ridden by Maxime Guyon who appeared to be caught a little out of his ground in the Arabian World Cup; I don't suppose he will make the same mistake here.

1453: From what I saw at Uttoxeter, Emitom has run well but he was caught on the line by Hurricane Harvey who won at 11/2 for Connor Brace and Fergal O'Brien.

Good race.

Almost time for another.

1449: The ground at ParisLongchamp is particularly testing as John Gosden has alluded to but Stradivarius has a fine record on soft with three wins and a third from just four runs on that going description and his stamina has to be considered an asset.

I do like Sottsass though. I thought he ran a perfectly good Arc trial in the Irish Champion Stakes and, like Enable, he obviously handled last year's conditions well enough to give optimism for today.

At 13/2 he's not everyone's idea of an each-way bet but I do think he's a very solid play, especially with the extra places on offer.

1441: Racing of a rather different nature but there's a two and a half mile beginners' chase at Uttoxeter in five minutes which sees the chase debut of Emitom, fourth in last season's Stayers' Hurdle.

He's odds against and faces no easy task.

1437: In the unlikely event that Deirdre wins that certainly won't be the case as Japanese racing fans have long dreamed of winning the Arc.

Their participants regularly add an extra layer of intrigue to this great race and there's no better example of that than when Deep Impact lined up in 2006.

Rail who?

1434: The build up can continue and I am in danger of overlooking the opponents but win or lose, there's only one story.

1430: It's the closest finish we've had so far away and victory goes the way of Tayf under Olivier Peslier who gets the result he wanted.

The winner was returned at 9/1 with the odds-on favourite, Ebraz only third.

1426: There is the Qatar Arabian World Cup now which I can add very little to but I will bring you the result.

They're circling at the start having been due off a minute ago.

1422: We've around 45 minutes now until the big moment and the nerves are already starting to tingle.

We've been lucky to enjoy Enable for so many seasons now and victory today would be a remarkable way to go out.

1418: Here's the interview with Marcialis.......

1412: Jessica Marcialis has just been interviewed with her son in her arms and although her face is hidden by her mask, you can see that she is still smiling all over as she gives a big shout out to all the Mums out there, or words to that effect.

The result stands.

I'll bring you a clip of that interview as soon as I've tracked it down.

1409: John Gosden isn't in Paris but Sky Sports Racing did manage to track him down in Newmarket earlier today.....

1405: It appears as though it was Frankie Dettori's mount who caused much of the interference in the Boussac but I reckon he'd take the ban if you would hand him the Arc trophy in exchange.

1402: We'll have more on the fairytale element of that success in due course but perhaps that is a good omen for the fairytale that most British racing fans want to see realised.

This man could be getting very emotional if Enable does win.....

1354: Tiger Tanaka takes the spoils.

It's a huge day for Charly Rossi and young jockey Jessica Marcialis and a fairytale success.

It was a messy race and Fev Rover didn't have the best of runs but everything went smoothly for the winner from her low draw and there was no fluke about that success.

Tasmania and Rougir filled the places.

There is a stewards enquiry.

It doesn't look as though it's going to affect the winner though.

1350: The favourite did win in very soft ground at Deauville whereas second favourite Thunder Beauty has it to prove under these conditions.

King's Harlequin was behind Fev Rover that day but did beat Sealiway and the re-opposing Harajuku earlier this season.

Not long now.

1348: Fev Rover showed a terrific attitude to win last time and that quality will stand her in good stead in the testing conditions.

It would be a first Group One victory for jockey Ben Curtis whose star has been in a gradual ascendancy over the last season or two.

1340: There's another Grade Three winner for Willie Mullins as County Hurdle winner dots up on his reappearance.

I'll update this post with revised (presumably) Champion Hurdle quotes when they are through.

It was easy as you like.

He was around a 16/1 chance prior to the off and he can still be backed at 14s after that winning return but Saint Roi is 10/1 in places with Epatante, who runs in the same colours, the 4/1 favourite.

1338: British and Irish raiders have enjoyed plenty of success in the Marcel Boussac over the years and look to have a strong hand with Fev Rover and Thunder Beauty.

As respected as they are, I'd like to take them on with Tiger Tanaka and Harajuku.

1332: Of much more relevance, here's an interview with connections of Sealiway.

Paddy Power and Betfair introduced the winner at 10/1 for next year's French 2000 Guineas.

1329: Matt Chapman isn't with Enable as he looks to the German Derby winner In Swoop who should have little trouble with the ground.

As an irrelevant aside, does he remind anyone else of Max Headroom in this tweet?

1327: I will try to stay up to date with the pick of the action elsewhere and at 1335 Saint Roi is odds-on to enhance his Champion Hurdle claims at Tipperary.

1325: That's quite the start to Arc day with a runaway winner, ridden by Mickael Barzalona, and I very much doubt whether Enable will find life so easy but the majority of the ITV Racing team are with her.

1321: It's a smooth performance from Sealiway with Nando Parrado asked for an effort from a long way out. He did pick up but he found it hard work and it's a convincing success for Frederic Rossi's colt.

Anyone go long on distances today?

Two outings ago, Sealiway finished third behind King's Harlequin who lines up in out next contest. That's not a bad boost for her form.

1319: Loading well underway.

1312: The runners are leaving the paddock ahead of the Jean-Luc Lagardere and Nando Parrado retains favouritism at 5/6 but not everyone is with him.

1305: It's three from three for Shewearsitwell at Tipperary, returned the 11/8 favourite.

She bolted up in what appeared to be quite a strong race and Willie Mullins has another smart mare in his yard, cue those Cheltenham Festival quotes.

No huge surprise but Shewearsitwell is now vying for favouritism for the Mares' Novices' Hurdle in March at as short as 6/1.

1302: I'm not quite sure what this adds but it looks quite flash....

1258: And here she is, the star of the show (hopefully).

I hope she hasn't just been asked whether she's going to win today.

1255: Alternatively, there's the Joe Mac Novice Hurdle from Tipperary that has been won by Penhill and Bachasson to name but two.

Their trainer, Willie Mullins, runs the unbeaten mare Shewearsitwell.

1253: And if you want to kill a minute or two of the 22 we've remaining before the first from Paris then perhaps this quiz is for you.

1251: There's excitement in the air.....

1244: The Arc could seem a very long time ago by the time the Qatar Prix de la Foret is run at 1655, especially if Enable is beaten, but the seven furlong Group One is worthy of a top billing itself.

I'm not convinced that his form justifies his position in the market but I'm very much a fan of Earthlight and, having just checked the betting again, I may yet be tempted now that One Master has usurped him at the top of the betting.

Hmm.

1242: Meanwhile at Uttoxeter.....

One True King (10/11 favourite) justifies strong market support to see off Brief Ambition in the opening novice hurdle.

1241: The Prix de l'Abbaye excites me less but each to their own.

We've got the smallest field for a number of years but it does contain last year's winner in Glass Slippers who has come to the boil nicely.

1235: There's much more to come after the Arc itself of course and I feel a little sorry for the protagonists of the Prix de l'Opera Longines as this is a belting Group One, even without Fancy Blue.

Alpine Star is a deserving favourite following her defeats to Palace Pier and Fancy Blue but she gives this race a nice each-way shape to my mind. I've seen Ambition put up in a couple of places and she was among the market movers this morning and I understand the case for her being a shorter price than Audarya but James Fanshawe has enjoyed huge success with mares in the past and it could be dangerous to assume her Prix Jean Romanet was a fluke and not the blossoming of a top level career.

1216: I can't shed any light on the Qatar Arabian World Cup that precedes the Arc (although I did read that Olivier Peslier was eager to win the race) but the 'gap' will provide ample opportunity to build up to the Arc and Enable.

Stradivarius is hugely popular in his own right and Sottsass is a Derby winner and third in last year's race, just a length and 3/4 behind Enable. For all the talk about this being a less than vintage renewal - and there are plenty of absentees that racing fans would have loved to have seen lining up - but this is no walk in the park.

The form of Raabihah's Vermeille second received not one but two boosts yesterday while the German Derby win of In Swoop was also franked at Hoppegarten.

Of course, she's the one to beat but she'll have to earn it and conditions will ensure that she'll have to earn it the hard way.

1212: Andre Fabre has won the opening Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere five times which is no great surprise but what did surprise me is that he has only once saddled the winner of the Boussac (Miss Tahiti in 1995).

I'd been interested in taking on the now absent Pretty Gorgeous and Fabre's filly, Harajuku, struck me as being one of the more interesting alternatives in a race that has been won at SPs of 28/1, 25/1 and 16/1 recently.

Indeed, the only winning favourites were Ballydoyle and Found, both trained by Aidan O'Brien.

Fev Rover was tough last time but there appear to be plenty of tempting alternatives including Tiger Tanaka and Thunder Beauty.

I'm torn and tempted to provide you with a Natalie Imbruglia musical interlude but here's a more topical replay of Fev Rover instead.

1204: The first from ParisLongchamp is due underway at 1315. It was probably a sub-standard renewal of the Jean-Luc Lagardere and the race hasn't been helped by the absence of St Mark's Basilica, leaving just the four opponents to odds-on favourite Nando Parrado.

He's won the Coventry Stakes and finished second in the Prix Morny but there are still doubts as to how much he's actually achieved.

Before reaching for the 'lay' button it's well worth remembering that Clive Cox has always spoken glowingly about this fellow and Middle Park winner Supremacy and having such a good guide to the strength of the domestic juvenile form, I'm not in any rush to take the first favourite on.

1154: We are under an hour away until the first from.........Uttoxeter.

Yes, I know.

But Fergal O'Brien has his team in great form and he runs Brief Ambition (21st in the Champion Bumper) while Nigel Twiston-Davies saddles One True King who was 10th in the Champion Bumper.

There's money at prices for General Probus as he makes his debut for Olly Murphy and it's a nice little race to whet the appetite for what lies ahead.

1144: I've been fortunate enough to have attended two Arcs and the first of those was back in 1995. The second was five years later when Sinndar took the honours and I feel pretty lucky to have seen two smart winners.

Ah, the memories.....

1140: The extended Sporting Life 'family' have all had a crack at predicting their Arc 1-2-3s.

I wonder what the odds are about anyone of us actually getting it correct?

1131: There are a good many British and Irish racing fans who would flock to Paris this weekend in normal circumstances and will no doubt be feeling a little sad that they're not there. Here's a gentle scene setter to bring you a flavour from Paris from someone who is lucky enough to be in attendance.

1126: On a more serious note, Aidan O'Brien appeared on Luck On Sunday this morning to talk more about the decision that led he, and his sons, to withdraw all of their runners from ParisLongchamp today.

1121: Part of the reason these races have such resonance is the history that goes with them - it's not all about the money - with stories like Emily Davison's death forming a significant part of the fabric of the Derby.

World Horse Racing have put together a little clip about fabric of a more literal sense but still very much connected to racing and its romance.

1117: Here's some nice work from racing's favourite cartoonist (at least I imagine he is, I've never heard of any others).

1112: There's another Arc preview for you to watch if you haven't done so already and that's Oli Bell talking to Olivier Peslier who has, of course, picked up a pretty tidy spare ride in the big race.

1107: This is obviously an Arc-centric blog but there's some jumping action that must get the juices flowing for NH fans.

There's a few runners from the Champion Bumper having a run, a chasing debut for Emitom and graded action at Tipperary with Champion Hurdle market mover Saint Roi and Galvin set to strut their stuff.

We'll try and keep an eye on those cards and keep you up to date if what's happening if the timing allows.

1044: If you haven't already listened, then do take time to tune in to the Arc Special Podcast (link above) where David Ord was joined by Ed Chamberlin, Cornelius Lysaght and David Johnson to look ahead to the big race.

1037: Enable is among those short-priced favourites but her odds aren't as cramped as they were last night when she was put in at odds-on following the four withdrawals.

A general 6/5 chance now with stablemate Stradivarius next best and showing up in blue on Oddschecker. The pair had very different preps and if you were still wondering what to make of Enable's victory at Kempton, you can recap the thoughts of Ben Linfoot and Cornelius Lysaght (click the image) who discussed her September Stakes success.

1028: The early morning market movers are already up on site and Paddy Power's Paul Binfield said: “Enable is of course chasing history, but master trainer Andre Fabre has already achieved it winning the race a record eight times.

"Those victories include Waldgeist denying Enable last year and punters are coming in each-way for his Persian King."

Both Paddy Power and Sky Bet have a raft of extra place offers to tempt you in at Longchamp which could be of interest to many with some short-priced favourites.

Please click on the image below and it will take you directly to the market movers and offers.

1022: The going, the all important going. Have you guessed what it is yet?

I imagine you might have done but here's a tweet with the details, the French version comes with a natty picture but I'll settle for the English language version.

1016: Good morning and welcome to our live racing blog on Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe Day (or #QPAT as it appears on the France Galop twitter feed - it's factually accurate but doesn't exactly roll off the tongue).

Yes, it's the Arc but not quite as we know it.

First there was the rain (not as bad as Nice and Italy thankfully otherwise there'd be no racing at all) and then there's the contaminated feed saga - there must be a no GAIN, no pain joke in there somewhere? - which has all put something of a dampener on proceedings but at least we still have Enable.

Hallelujah.

If we ever needed a horse to win a race, surely it's Enable today?

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