LONGCHAMP 15:20

All 16 ran.

Time: 2m 31.58s

Overrounds: Industry SP 120%, Betfair SP 105.2%

It often takes a top-class performance to win an Arc but this wasn't even a high-class renewal, with a number of higher-rated candidates missing, among them top 3-y-o City of Troy heading for the Breeders' Cup instead and the likes of Goliath and Calandagan ineligible as geldings; supplemented winner Bluestocking had finished behind all 3 of those previously this year, her victory meaning 9 of the last 14 renewals have gone to fillies and mares. In a wide-open contest all the 4 first were leading contenders after advertising their chances with good runs 3 weeks earlier and the same quartet were all in the first half-dozen in the false straight in a race where those more patiently ridden couldn't get involved. Bluestocking went one better than Westover (like her, a King George runner-up) last year for Ralph Beckett and Juddmonte, this a record seventh success in the race for the late Khalid Abdullah's operation.

BLUESTOCKING capped a season of improvement as a 4-y-o with a third Group 1, but this time against all-comers rather than her own sex, proving better than ever in these last 2 starts and fully justifying the decision to supplement her for €120,000 (she hadn't won a Group race at the time of the original entry stage) after defeating the same runner-up in the Vermeille 3 weeks earlier, again showing plenty of determination, enjoying a perfect run here from her low draw after getting a lead from the eventual third; quickest into stride from low draw, tracked pace, travelled well, close up entering straight, went on 2f out, kept on well; this was due to be her final season, though her future will be decided in the coming weeks.

AVENTURE (IRE) has progressed all year and stepped up a bit more on her effort behind Bluestocking in the Vermeille, ridden to deliver her challenge later this time, creeping closer before following the winner through in the straight but never quite able to close the gap; mid-division, steady progress false straight, headway early in straight, stayed on final 1f; she stays in training and can win good races next year.

LOS ANGELES (IRE) duly proved suited by the return to the longer trip, running right up to his best under a ride that made the most of his stamina with no other takers for the lead and sticking to his task once headed; soon led, worked across to rail back straight, nudged along false straight, ridden early in straight, headed 2f out, kept on.

SOSIE (IRE) was sent off favourite to take his trainer's record number of Arc winners to 9, having a similar profile to most of those winners, but as Andre Fabre himself suspected, this year's French 3-y-o middle-distance form among the colts was a bit below the standard required for all that Sosie ran creditably, matching his Niel effort; in touch after being close up early, handy again false straight, ridden home turn, lacked a change of gear in straight, one paced final 1f; like the same owners' runner-up, he'll stay in training.

SEVENNA'S KNIGHT (IRE) , essentially a stayer, was far from discredited in the circumstances down in trip/up in grade, and was the only one to make any kind of inroads from back in the field, albeit never looking like reaching the frame; squeezed at start, in rear, still plenty to do home turn, plugged on straight, never a threat.

ZARAKEM (FR) fared better than last time in a first-time hood, though his very best efforts this season have been at 1¼m; in touch, went third by halfway, travelled well, effort on inner 2f out, one paced from over 1f out.

SURVIE (IRE) looked to face a stiff task but wasn't entirely discredited as the rank outsider; held up, looked to be struggling to hold her place in false straight but kept on up the inner once in line for home, never a threat.

DELIUS , not far behind Sosie the last twice, found this more competitive in a race that didn't suit his usual hold-up tactics; patiently ridden, not quicken straight (rider picked up 2-day whip ban).

FANTASTIC MOON (GER) for the second year running finished down the field after coming into the race in good form, never getting competitive, connections reportedly wanting to take him out once conditions softened but dissuaded by the prospect of a hefty fine for doing so; slowly into stride, held up, never better than mid-field.

SUNWAY (FR) ran below form but had a wide draw to contend with and shaped as though he'd play more of a part for a long way; had a difficult draw, kept wide early on, in touch, headway approaching home turn, close up early in straight, struggling over 1f out; he's had quite a tough campaign.

AL RIFFA (FR) was arguably the pick on form in a very open year but never looked like getting competitive in a race that didn't suit those patiently ridden; held up, took a wider course than most, never on terms.

SHIN EMPEROR (FR) , brother to the 2020 winner Sottsass (successful as a 4-y-o), proved to be a disappointment for those anticipating a change of fortune for Japanese contenders, going backwards from what had been a promising European debut when just in front of Los Angeles in the Irish Champion Stakes; bit better than mid-division, made no impression in straight; this was his first start on soft ground but his brother won this on heavy.

LOOK DE VEGA (FR) , still unexposed, was expected to improve from his run in the Niel but proved a let-down; broke well but seemed to resent being steadied into mid-field, refused to settle, towards rear false straight, never dangerous, his jockey reporting that he made a noise in the straight.

MQSE DE SEVIGNE (IRE) didn't get the chance to show what she could on a belated first try at this trip, her run best ignored thanks to her draw and trouble in running; worst of draw, raced well off the pace, hampered/forced wide to avoid stricken rival around halfway, always behind.

CONTINUOUS (JPN) , a good fifth last year, hasn't been in the same form this term and, ridden contrastingly to last time, never figured; raced off the pace, hampered around halfway, always behind.

HAYA ZARK (FR) was reportedly set for a stud career after this but this year's Ganay winner met a sad end; prominent until going wrong approaching halfway, weakened quickly, suffered fatal injury.