But any doubts over the Sea The Stars' ability to see out a mile and a half were erased when he beat Fame And Glory by a length and three-quarters in the Derby.
Though his father was a speedball, he gets plenty of stamina from his mother Urban Sea, who won the Arc in 1993.
Victory in Paris will rightfully put Sea The Stars among the all-time greats such as Dancing Brave, Mill Reef and Brigadier Gerard.
The best ones save a bit for themselves and Sea The Stars has never won by much.
He is also a relaxed type, so the preliminaries won't faze him. Crucially, he is tactically versatile and has vastly experienced Mick Kinane as his partner.
Timeform rate him 7lb ahead of Fame And Glory, who chased him home in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown last time, and a further 3lb ahead of the pick of the older brigade, which includes King George winner Conduit.
Perhaps the biggest compliment paid to Sea The Stars comes from Lester Piggott. The 11-time champion jockey compares him to Nijinsky, whom he partnered to win the Triple Crown 39 years ago.
"Sea The Stars is one of the best I've seen," he said. "He is comparable to Nijinsky, as he has it all, speed, stamina and lots of class. He should win but unless it rains I can't see what's going to stop him."
How can you argue with that?
Tomorrow's Longchamp TV tips
2.40 Goldikova, 3.15 Plumania, 3.45 Reggane, 4.20 Famous Name
