Ectot made a winning return to action with a stylish display in the Qatar Prix Niel at Longchamp.
The prolific Elie Lellouche-trained colt had been off the track since landing the Prix de Fontainebleau over a mile in April, but was a 15-8 favourite for his comeback, stepping up a full half-mile in trip.
Jockey Gregory Benoist settled the three-year-old - in whom Al Shaqab recently purchased a half-share - at the back of the field for much of the journey and he made effortless progress when given his head in the straight, quickly swooping to the lead.
The lack of a recent outing was perhaps a factor as he began to tire in the final furlong, but he was ultimately well on top as he passed the post ahead of Teletext.
Aidan O'Brien's Adelaide, last seen winning the Secretariat Stakes in America, could be counted unlucky in third.
The Irish raider was left with nowhere to go a furlong out, but flew home once switched wide by Ryan Moore and may well have shaken up the winner with a clearer run.
"I was riding to instructions. The horse was calm, for him today he was quite relaxed"
William Hill cut Ectot to 10-1 from 25-1 for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Lellouche said: "He was very fresh because he had not run in a while.
"If you have a good horse it can go over any distance and I was always confident he could run over a mile and a half.
"I always thought he was a very good horse and it was a good performance.
"I told the jockey to keep him out of the race and to not give him a hard time, to be at the back as it was his first run in a very long time.
"I won't forget when Hurricane Run (sire of Ectot) beat me with Westerner in the Arc - Hurricane Run had won the Niel and I hope that the same can happen in my favour this year and the Niel winner can win the Arc.
Benoist said: "I was riding to instructions. The horse was calm, for him today he was quite relaxed.
"He went really well, he needed a breather but he stuck out his head and did everything I asked of him."
Benoist also has the option of riding unbeaten filly Avenir Certain in the Arc, potentially leaving Frankie Dettori to ride Ectot.
He added: "I have plenty of time to make my mind up."
Pascal Bary said of Teletext: "He ran a cracking race, but he's definitely not going to run in the Arc."
Treve was only fourth as Baltic Baroness recorded a surprise success in the Prix Vermeille.
Winner of last year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe but without a victory in two starts this season, Treve was reunited with jockey Thierry Jarnet for a race she claimed last year in the hands of Frankie Dettori.
Anchored at the rear of the field, the Criquette Head-Maarek-trained four-year-old made progress wide into the straight, from where she held every chance.
William Buick, meanwhile, was still at the head of affairs on Pomology, as he had been from an early stage, and while Treve did make some ground to the furlong and a half point she was not given an overly hard time.
Andre Fabre's Baltic Baroness sneaked up the rail and just came out on top from Pomology after quite a battle through the final furlong.
Last year's Epsom Derby hero Ruler Of The World (above) benefited from a well executed front-running ride from Frankie Dettori as he made a winning return to action in the Prix Foy.
Making his first appearance since disappointing in the Dubai World Cup at the end of March, the Aidan O'Brien-trained four-year-old was soon bowling along at the head of affairs under the popular Italian.
The packed closed in at the top of the home straight, but Dettori kicked again and left his rivals trailing in his wake.
Hot favourite Flintshire made late inroads, but Ruler Of The World was well on top at the line.
