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The marathon stayers come to the fore in the 2018 Prix Royal-Oak run at Longchamp on Sunday.

Yeats was a winner back in 2008 among other grand stayers. Is there another on the rise in the 2018 Prix Royal-Oak (3100m) at Longchamp on Sunday?

2018 PRIX ROYAL-OAK - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

The Prix Royal Oak is a Group 1 race run under Weight For Age conditions for three year olds and up at Longchamp conducted by France Galop.

The Prix Royal Oak is run over 3100m. It was first run in 1861 and was won by Palestro. It was originally called the Grand Prix du Prince Imperial.

It is a very similar race to the Irish St Leger but was initially only for 3yos making it like the English St Leger at the time.

The race was not run during WWI and then the start of WWII before being run at Le Tremblay for a couple of years.

It has always been a Group 1, saw older horses running from 1979 and geldings from 1986.

Four horses have won the race twice – Amilynx, Westerner, Tac de Boistron and Varizabad. Varizabad was going for three in a row but ran second last year.

The 2015, 2016 and 2017 editions were run at Saint Cloud as Longchamp was under its long term redevelopment.

Freddy Head has tasted success six times as a jockey.

Francois Mathet and Andre Fabre share most training wins at seven.

The last non-French winner was Tac de Boistron in 2014 for Marco Botti.

The Prix Royal Oak is worth €350,000 in 2018.

Notable winners of the Prix Royal Oak include Varizabad (2015/2016), Tac de Boistron (2013/2014), Gentoo (2010), Ask (2009), Yeats (2008), Westerner (2003/2004), Mr Dinos (2002), Vinnie Roe (2001), Amilynx (1999/2000), Sunshack (1995), Moonax (1994), Turgeon (1991), Royal Gait (1987), Ardross (1981), Exceller (1976), Sassafras (1970), Relko (1963), Match (1961), La Pacha (1941), Éclair au Chocolat (1938), Brantome (1934), Ksar (1921) and Gladiateur (1865).

The 2017 Prix Royal Oak was won by Ice Breeze from Varirabad and Holdthasigreen.