The G1 Prix Vermeille (2400m) at ParisLongchamp this Sunday (September 7) once again carries its reputation as the most telling pointer towards next month’s G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Run over the same course and distance, it has often served as a dress rehearsal for Arc glory.

Aventure and Bluestocking clashed in both races last year, and with Aventure back in Vermeille action alongside several likely Arc-bound fillies, the stage looks set for another high-class renewal.

Aventure kicked off her 2025 season with two straight victories before connections gave her a mid-year break, saving her for the autumn features.

Among her toughest opponents is Whirl, the Aidan O’Brien-trained filly whose profile has only strengthened with each run. She nearly upset stablemate Minnie Hauk—now a dual Group 1 winner—in the Oaks at Epsom before showing top-level ability in both the G1 Pretty Polly Stakes (2000m) at the Curragh and the G1 Nassau Stakes (1979m) at Goodwood. On heavy ground at Goodwood, Whirl made all and powered away unchallenged.

Reflecting on that win, O’Brien said: “After that Goodwood win and even in the mud, she didn’t appear to have had a hard race. Whirl is an uncomplicated, understated filly.”

Another leading chance is Gezora, who returns from an 84-day break after her Classic success in the G1 Prix de Diane (2100m) at Chantilly. That day, she surged down the straight and held off Bedtime Story with a strong sustained finish. She represents Francis-Henri Graffard, who also runs Sahlan in Sunday’s earlier feature, the G1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (1600m).

That race will see Sahlan take on top-class rivals, including Richard Hannon’s Rosallion. A triple Group 1 winner, Rosallion has delivered brilliance in 2025 despite battling injury setbacks, most recently finding 1400m specialists too sharp in the G1 City of York Stakes last month.

Conditions could also bring Quddwah into the frame. Proven in the mud, he scored over this track and trip in a Listed contest in May before adding a Group 3 success at Chantilly in July, both on soft ground.

O’Brien’s Henri Matisse cannot be overlooked either. Already a two-time Group 1 winner, he captured the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains (1600m) here in May with a powerful late run that sealed Classic glory.

Image of Whirl, Coolmore