André Fabre is set to have two runners in Sunday’s Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, bringing both an experienced Group 1 performer and a three-year-old on an upward trajectory.

Sosie, owned by the Wertheimer Brothers, impressed with a win in the Grand Prix de Paris as a three-year-old before finishing fourth in last year's 'Arc' behind Bluestocking. He completed back-to-back Group 1 victories in the Prix Ganay and the Prix d'Ispahan at the start of the 2025 campaign, before disappointing in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown. Although he tasted defeat behind Byzantine Dream when second in the course and distance Group 2 Prix Foy, the four-year-old is capable of returning to his best.

Fabre, speaking to Nick Luck Daily, said: "I think the ground would suit any horse, because they are announcing a dry week and it will be sunny, but the nights are quite humid so the ground should be alright for everybody.

"I'm happy with everything. The preparation races were satisfying, so we don't have any reasons to compare one horse with the other. Sosie ran really badly at Sandown, so I wasn't happy with that, but then I was happy at Longchamp. So what can I say?

"Because he had quite a long break after Sandown, he is a four-year-old and quite a heavy horse - he really needed a race, which isn't the case with many horses."

Although Sosie was defeated in his 'Arc' trial, the improving three-year-old Cualificar recorded a victory in the Group 2 Prix Niel despite a troubled passage.

"Cualificar is an a-typical Lope De Vega. He is quite laid back. He's a lazy worker. For a long time, I was saying he would be better in softer ground. This was proven right in the Prix Niel. He's a good three-year-old. The best we have in France over this distance. Is he good enough to beat the older horses? We'll see on Sunday.

"Usually, the horse who wins the Arc, wins the prep race very easily. This wasn't true of Cualificar. Yes, he got in trouble, but he didn't win by three lengths, he won a neck. The only trial I've seen that was won easily was Aventure in the Prix Vermeille (Gr.1). She's proven at Longchamp - she was second in the Arc last year; she's had a good campaign - light - so I think she's the one to beat.

"I have no superstars running this weekend, but they all have a good chance."