The worldwide racing calendar has a number of stellar "carnivals", during which numerous prestigious and richly-endowed events are programmed over a short period. These occasions are virtually guaranteed to draw top-class runners. Royal Ascot, the Breeders' Cup, the Dubai World Cup and the Hong Kong Internationals are examples of such meetings, but surely up there with the best is perhaps the greatest racing weekend summit of the year, the Arc meeting at Longchamp, Paris, in early October. The sheer calibre of the runners involved makes for a mouth-watering spectacle.

As in the past few years, France Galop has drawn up a delectable menu for the two-day celebration, consisting of four Group 2 races on the Saturday (October 6) and seven Group 1 races on the Sunday (October 7). The French authorities often programme races for Arab horses on major Thoroughbred race-days and it's only fitting that some of these find their place this coming weekend, given that the meet is sponsored by the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club.

Listed below is the weekend's Pattern Race programme, with all times in IST:
 

The piece de resistance is, of course, the €4,000,000 Gr.1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (2400 m.) which has 18 runners eligible at the time of writing. Fickle weather is part and parcel of this time of year in Europe, and while both Friday and Saturday in Paris could be cloudy with a drizzle, Sunday might see the temperature going downhill – although there is as yet no rain on the agenda on the big day. Horses cope differently with varying underfoot conditions and temperatures, so it is wise to consider previous form in similar conditions when making selections.

The "Arc" field is up to its usual high standard, despite a trio of notable recent defections:

The first to cry off was Ed Dunlop's Snow Fairy (by Intikhab), the globe-trotting earner of £4,030,846 (Rs.33.85 crores), who could have been bought as a yearling for around €2,000 (Rs.1.35 lakhs)! Coming off a win over Nathaniel (by Galileo) in the Gr.1 Red Mills Irish Champion Stakes in Ireland last month, she was in great heart but was found to have heat in a foreleg, after she had completed her last piece of work in anticipation of the big race. While not necessarily career-ending, her setback could well mean that her owner might be tempted to retire her – time will tell.

Then last year's winner, the in-form Danedream (by Lomitas), who was in fine fettle had to be scratched following the arrival of a bolt from the blue early this week. Cologne racecourse, where she is stabled, had become the subject of a three-month long quarantine ban due to another horse, located on the other side of the track, having been tested positive for Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA). As a result, none of the 300+ horses based at Cologne could leave the premises. The General Manager of the racecourse, Benedikt Fassbender, told Press Association Sport: "It's a nightmare….no horses can come in to the track, and no horses can come out". Earlier the plan had been for Danedream to have travelled the 500 kms. distance to Paris on Saturday and to have stayed overnight at Longchamp.

Finally on Tuesday afternoon, just hours after the afore-mentioned Nathaniel had been one of 18 initial acceptors for the race, came the disappointing announcement from John Gosden that his talented ward had an elevated temperature, and an unsatisfactory blood picture, and would be forced to miss the race. A model of consistency, Nathaniel had only once been out of one-two in ten lifetime starts, with a victory in the Gr.1 Coral Eclipse Stakes earlier this year to his credit. Moreover the expected ground conditions – on the soft side – would have suited him.

However, welcome additions to the field included a runner who was not initially expected to run, the top three-year-old colt in Europe, Camelot (by Montjeu), coming off a heart-breaking defeat in the Ladbrokes St. Leger last month, and a trio of supplementary entries, all added to the cast on Thursday morning at a cost of €100,000 apiece. These were the Prix du Jockey Club winner, Saônois (by Chichicastenango), Darley Irish Oaks victress Great Heaven (by Galileo) and the Secretariat Stakes winner, Bayrir (by Medicean).

For several years, Japan has been trying to crown the relentless efforts of its breeders to climb the peak of racing excellence with an "Arc" victory. Between them, Japanese-breds have taken home the Dubai World Cup, the Melbourne Cup, the Singapore Airlines International Cup, etc., but not as yet the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. And it's not for want of trying – back in 1969 Speed Symboli (by Royal Challenger) was the first to make the attempt. Fast forward to 1999 when the Japanese-trained (but USA-foaled) El Condor Pasa (by Kingmambo) ran a grand second to Montjeu, earning a Timeform rating of 136.

Japan's star homebred colt, Deep Impact (by Sunday Silence) was perhaps a tad unlucky when third – subsequently disqualified – in 2006 but Nakayama Festa (by Stay Gold) came within an ace of winning the race in 2010. This year, Orfevre (also by Stay Gold), is a joint favourite at 3 to 1 to win it all. His trainer, Yasutoshi Ikee, has built upon the experience of his compatriots in previous years and sent his ward to France early – back in June – giving him time to acclimatize. Ikee also booked a top European rider in Christophe Soumillon, who has twice visited the Arc winners' circle – astride Dalakhani and Zarkava.  And, finally, to ensure that his charge was fit enough on the big day, he sent him out over track-and-distance in the Gr.2 Qatar Prix Foy – which he won.

Admittedly it has been a while since the winner of the Prix Foy has gone on to win the "Arc". That was Subotica in 1992.  But trainer Ikee is confident that there is a great deal of improvement over that effort left in his ward. Also, the pace is sure to be stronger than the dawdling norm in French races. Interestingly, Orfevre – who has won 8 of his 13 starts – will sport a hood on the big day. Soumillon worked the Japanese colt on Wednesday and observed: "Orfevre worked very well this morning and has come on in three weeks. I'm pleased with him."

Reams have been written about the Aidan O'Brien-trained Camelot, winner of five of his six races. At first there was disbelief when he failed to make up the required ground in the St. Leger, participation in which had initially appeared to rule out an "Arc" bid. However, as the triple Classic winner continued to shine thereafter in his morning exercises it was decided to allow him to take his chance. Given that his regular rider, Joseph O'Brien, cannot make the stipulated 56 kg., Coolmore have recruited an interesting alternative – none other than Frankie Dettori, who will be donning silks for the Irish outfit after 7 long years! The combination is proving irresistible at the betting shops in England, and Camelot is presently joint favourite at around 3 to 1. As this will be Dettori's 25^th consecutive ride in the "Arc", there are sure to be wild scenes of celebration should he win.

The battle-hardened Saônois has been somewhat downgraded by the media, despite his having done little wrong, as a record of 7 wins from 13 starts would testify. His trainer, Jean-Pierre Gauvin, is essentially following the formula perfected by legendary schooler, André Fabre, whose seven "Arc" wins make him the most successful trainer ever in the event. And owner Pascal Treyve, who has risen to fame from being the owner of an obscure bakery in the equally unknown village of Bellegarde-en-Forez, west of Lyon, to being the owner of a live "Arc" prospect has provided the romantic touch to the story this year. Gauvin gave his small-made colt a brief summer break after his exertions in the French Derby equivalent, then brought him back in the Gr.2 Qatar Prix Niel at Longchamp, which he won in taking style. Regular rider Antoine Hamelin will partner the colt, an 8 to 1 shot.

Rare is an "Arc" without a runner from the powerful Aga Khan studs and this year there are three. The stable's principal representative is Shareta (by Sinndar) from the yard of Alain de Royer-Dupré, to be steered by Christophe Lemaire. While not exactly in the Zarkava mould, she is consistent (not out of the first three in five starts this year) and is coming off a win in the Gr.1 Prix Vermeille over course and distance. A best-priced 9 to 1 can be had about her chances. Her weakness is her propensity for good ground and should the surface become softer, she may not even take part. Perhaps this is what has prompted the supplementation of Bayrir, not far behind Saônois last time out, who could start at 16 to 1.

Prince Khalid Abdullah (Juddmonte Farms) is hoping for a fifth "Arc" success through the medium of the Sir Michael Stoute-trained four-year-old Sea Moon (by Beat Hollow), the sole British challenger. Utterly impressive when landing the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot, at the expense of Emirates Melbourne Cup hero Dunaden, he was defeated by Danedream by just over a couple of lengths last time out when fancied for the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in July. Returning from a long absence due to injury, Ryan Moore continues his association with the 10 to 1 shot. It may be recalled that Moore had come back from a similar hiatus to ride Workforce for the same connections in the "Arc".

While Camelot is the clear pick from amongst Ballydoyle's quartet, one cannot leave out his stablemate, St. Nicholas Abbey (by Montjeu). In the money on 15 of his 17 starts, he hardly knows what it is to run a bad race – and certainly knows how to run a good one! What's more, his ratings are right up there with the best. Though his inability to win at each of his last three starts suggests he may not be at his peak, should the luck of the race favour him, he could well make 11 to 1 look like a very juicy price indeed. Set to carry 59.5 kg., he will have the services of Joseph O'Brien.

What a masterstroke it would be on the part of trainer André Fabre if the horse of that name, the recently-deceased Monsun's son, Masterstroke, were to oblige! The very consistent three-year-old, sporting the Godolphin livery, accounted for his ten rivals in the Grand Prix de Deauville with aplomb and is likely to have Mickael Barzalona at the controls. And Fabre has two arrows to his bow, the other being the Rothschild hope Meandre (by Slickly), usually steered by Maxime Guyon, who was sixth as a three-year-old in the "Arc" last year but has strengthened since. The former is offered at 10 to 1, while the latter can be had at 16 to 1.

Out went Nathaniel and in came Great Heavens – a year-younger full-sister to the former, who makes for a superb replacement! She shares the same connections (Lady Rothschild/John Gosden/William Buick), is unbeaten this year, comes off a sequence of four straight wins culminating in her Irish Oaks success, and cannot be underestimated.

Finally, a few words of caution – it is well documented that the draw and the weather can play a huge part in the result. The allotment of starting positions is to be made after this piece has been written and it's worth keeping in mind that horses on the inside face the danger of encountering a rough passage. Likewise the climatic conditions will be known only on the day of the race.

The field with tentative riding arrangements is given below: