Luxembourg appears well placed in stall eight as he bids to give Aidan O’Brien his third Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe success.
Having missed the middle part of the season through injury, O’Brien’s charge will be having just his fourth start of the season in Sunday’s ParisLongchamp showpiece.
The Irish Champion Stakes winner heads the betting, with 20 runners declared for the Group 1 contest.
READ MORE: Frankie Dettori beats Willie Mullins to Barney Curley Cup at Bellewstown
Sir Mark Prescott is likely to be similarly content after his star mare Alpinista was handed stall six, with Ralph Beckett’s Irish Derby hero Westover next door in seven.
John and Thady Gosden’s two runners were not as fortunate, however, with the Clarehaven pair of Mostahdaf and Mishriff breaking from 16 and 17 respectively.
The British contingent is completed by William Haggas’ Alenquer, who is in gate 12.
Frankie Dettori will partner last year’s shock Arc winner Torquator Tasso, who is also drawn wider than ideal in stall 18.
The two leading French hopes are the Fabrice Chappet-trained Onesto (11) and Jean-Claude Rouget’s Vadeni (two) – second and third behind Luxembourg at Leopardstown three weeks ago.
Vadeni had previously won the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown and is ridden by Christophe Soumillon, who has two Arc wins on his CV courtesy of Dalakhani (2003) and Zarkava (2008).
Leading Japanese hope Titleholder is down the middle in stall 10, with his compatriot Stay Foolish widest of all in 20 and Germany’s Mendocino is lowest in one.
Meanwhile, the bookies are viewing this year’s Arc as the most open renewal in years.
Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: “This year’s race looks like the most open one in years, and with such a competitive race, punters haven’t latched onto to one particular horse.
The strongest support in recent days has been for Torquator Tasso, but we think Alpinista will be the public horse and could challenge Luxembourg for favouritism.”
Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe odds
7/2 Luxembourg, 5/1 Alpinista, 5/1 Torquator Tasso, 9/1 Titleholder, 10/1 Vadeni, Westover, 14/1 Onesto, 20/1 Mare Australis, Mishriff, 25/1 Al Hakeem, Do Deuce, Mendocino, 33/1 Mostahdaf, Sealiway, 50/1 Deep Bond, 66/1 Alenquer, Bubble Gift, Grand Glory, Stay Foolish, 80/1 Broome.
READ NEXT:
Five issues that urgently need the attention of Ireland boss Stephen Kenny
Coolio stunned punters with live performance in Conor McGregor's pub months before death
Michael Obafemi happy to repay Stephen Kenny's backing after Swansea exile
Cut the fancy stuff out and get the basics right, Munster players told by Reds management
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
