Sunday will see Britain's biggest hope for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Alpinista, take on some of the world's best 2400m horses. The Newmarket housed five-year-old is unbeaten over the last two seasons and arrives as one of the main chances for the weekend's showpiece event.

Connections had planned to commence her campaign in the G1 Coronation Cup (2400m) at Epsom but suggested "they had started late as she didn't come in her coat until very late, so we had to shelve the Coronation Cup and we wound up in the Grand Prix at Saint-Cloud." The change of plan seemingly had no issue as she duly obliged winning the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (2400m), a traditional Arc trial race by a length-and-a-quarter.

The G1 Yorkshire Oaks (2400m) was next on the agenda and once again she didn't disappoint. Well-positioned throughout under regular rider Luke Morris, she took it up at the 400m pole and was always doing enough to prevail by a length.

The form looks to be working out nicely with the Grosser Preis von Baden (G1) (2400m) and Prix Vermeille (G1) (2400m) being fought out by rivals she has already beaten, while fellow previous victim Bubble Gift finished a solid runner-up in the Prix Foy (G2).

Trainer Sir Mark Prescott stated: "Mathematically I think if I were a form student looking at the race, she'd probably have the best chance because as those trials showed at Longchamp, nearly all of them have been beaten by her at one time or another. I think mathematically she has a marvellous chance."

Not only does owner Kirsten Rausing believe the mare rates an excellent chance on the formbook, but her relaxed and straightforward nature looks a sizeable asset. "Her great gift is she's straightforward and she's very good natured."

"Obviously historically a wide draw makes life difficult (note, Alpinista drew 6) but so far, she's very versatile. She's made the running, been held up, I think her great quality is that she's obviously pretty useful but is straightforward."

Although ground conditions are slightly up in the air with plenty of forecast rain around, the Sir Mark Prescott-trained mare also seems versatile in that respect. He stated: "she's never been tested in heavy, but she's won in soft and won on every other description."

Plenty of eyes will be on Alpinista come Sunday afternoon as she aims to become the first five-year-old mare to win the "Arc" since 1937.