Connections of Treve have expressed their satisfaction after the star mare drew stall eight for her pursuit of a historic third victory in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday.
Criquette Head-Maarek's five-year-old came from a wide berth in stall 15 when claiming the Paris showpiece in 2013 and was closer to the rails in gate three when bouncing back from a largely disappointing campaign to successfully defend her crown 12 months ago.
With a retirement decision reversed, she has enjoyed the perfect season so far, winning each of her three starts and she looked as good as ever in last month's Prix Vermeille, ensuring she will be a warm order to become the first ever three-time Arc winner.
Harry Herbert, racing manager for owners Al Shaqab Racing, believes the fact she is drawn down the middle in stall eight of 18 can only be a good thing.
"It looks pretty much spot on. If you asked Criquette, I know she would say she wouldn't mind where she was drawn, but I think you'd prefer down the middle, so eight looks pretty good - it all helps," said Herbert.
"The pacemaker (Shahah, stall two) is not there to go a crazy pace - she's there to ensure a good, even pace.
"I'm really excited about the whole occasion. I've just arrived in Paris and there's a real buzz about the place.
"There's a phenomenal build-up to the Arc and the promotion of the race in Paris is huge - there are signs and billboards everywhere you look.
"There's all sorts going on for the next couple of days, racing Arabians and things like that, ahead of the big day on Sunday.
"It is seriously exciting and the nerves are holding up at the moment."
Widely regarded as Treve's biggest threat from her own country is the Andre Fabre-trained Prix du Jockey Club hero New Bay.
Also impressive in his Arc trial in the Prix Niel, the three-year-old appears even better positioned in stall five as master trainer Fabre chases his eighth victory in the race.
Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager for owner Khalid Abdullah, said: "He's had a great year. He was second from a dreadful draw in the French Guineas and won the Prix du Jockey Club in great style.
"When you've won the Prix du Jockey Club, your thoughts begin to turn (to the Arc), so Andre gave him a little break.
"He won well at Deauville and had a really super prep in the Niel. That is a fairly well written script for Andre.
"Everyone knows you to go into any major race in the best form and generally without interruption. So far, that's happened to him."
Grimthorpe is under no illusions about the task facing New Bay in taking on the dual Arc heroine, but is relishing the prospect rather than fearing it.
He said: "I think we go there with excitement. A lot of people expect Treve to win and why wouldn't they?
Her CV is pretty unimpeachable, and her trainer's for that matter, in this race.
"If you had Treve you'd be pretty excited, but we're going to try and do our best to upset that.
"We've got more to prove than Treve has, no question about that, but the way we've come into the race we're very pleased with everything."
The Fabre-Abdullah combination is also represented by Flintshire, runner-up to Treve last year and in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud back in June.
He warmed up for his third shot at the Arc by winning the Sword Dancer Stakes at Saratoga in late August.
"He certainly wants fast ground. You saw him win the Sword Dancer, he was pretty impressive there and he put away the best of the Americans pretty comfortably," said Grimthorpe.
"Treve has beaten him twice, in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and the Arc last year - that's no disgrace.
"He's an honest, thoroughly reliable, consistent horse. I think Andre is pretty happy with him now."
Tirage au sort des places à la corde pour le 94ème Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe ! #QPAT pic.twitter.com/u9AtAQNXN2
— France Galop (@francegalop) October 2, 2015
The last Irish-trained Arc hero was the great Sea The Stars in 2009 and this year's team is made of up Dermot Weld's Free Eagle and a pair of fillies from Ballydoyle in Found and Tapestry.
With just six runs under his belt, Prince of Wales's Stakes winner Free Eagle is one of the least experienced horses in the field and will be tackling the mile and a half for the first time.
He was last seen finishing third in a controversial Irish Champion Stakes after being heavily bumped by eventual winner Golden Horn.
Fiona Craig, breeding advisor for owners Moyglare Stud, said: "He's drawn 12 of 18, which I don't think is too bad.
"Dermot has been very happy with him since Leopardstown - I don't think he could be in better form.
"It will be his first run over a mile and a half, but his pedigree suggests he should get it and Pat (Smullen, jockey) has been adamant ever since he was a two-year-old that he would.”
Dylan Thomas (2007) is Aidan O'Brien's only previous Arc winner, but Found is not easily dismissed after splitting Golden Horn and Free Eagle at Leopardstown.
Narrowly beaten in the Irish 1,000 Guineas and the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot previously, stamina is the big question mark with her.
She was victorious in the Prix Marcel Boussac on this card 12 months ago.
O'Brien sad: "She has been in good form since Leopardstown and has not done too much. She bends her knees a lot and goes on soft ground, but I think she will be OK on good ground.
"She's a filly who was top-class over a mile. Her dam ran over a mile, but she's by Galileo, who is usually a big influence for stamina. You'd think and hope she would (stay), but you can't be sure until they do it.
"She loved Longchamp last year. We said if everything went well, she'd have an easy enough spring and we'd train her for the Arc and that's what we've done.
"She is stepping up to a mile and a half and realistically we are going there to give her a chance. She could always come back again next year."
Tapestry was quietly fancied in last year's Arc only to disappoint.
She has run just once this season, finishing second in last month's Blandford Stakes.
