Kate Tracey, Callum Helliwell and Sam Boswell gather on the Weekend Winners programme to dissect the most promising betting angles for a thrilling weekend of flat racing both in the UK and overseas. As the broadcast draws to a close, the trio turn their attention to the upcoming Prix Ganay, a Group 1 contest that will be aired live from Longchamp in Paris at 3:25 p.m. on Sunday.
The race, which was won last season by Sosie—a horse that later proved to be the third‑place finisher in the prestigious Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe—features a field of six contenders all vying for top‑class glory over an extended distance of ten furlongs. After a brilliant performance in the Arc, Daryz returns to the French circuit under the guidance of trainer Francis‑Henri Graffard, with fellow entries Cualificar, Arrow Eagle and Aventure also slated to give the favourite a run for its money. "I am taking on the favourite Daryz in the Prix Ganay on Sunday, even though he beat my selection in his most recent performance last season," one of the panelists explains. "Aventure lines up here and she had a nightmare of a race in the Arc last year.
Drawn wide and keen she never got a chance to settle, and she dropped through the field like a heavy stone in water." The commentator continues, "She was far from disgraced behind Calandagan last season, which is rock‑solid form and the stable companion to the favourite. She gets weight off the boys this time around and, if she is fit and raring to go, I think she will bounce back to form today." The show also reminds viewers that they can stay up‑to‑date with the latest racing news, interviews and feature pieces by downloading the Sky Sports Racing app, ensuring that every twist and turn of the sport is just a tap away. When asked which horse they would back, another expert declares, "I will be siding with the Arc winner Daryz for the Prix Ganay on Sunday – live on Sky Sports Racing. I'm deserting my French fancy in Aventure after her disappointment last time." In addition to the Prix Ganay preview, the programme highlights several other stories making headlines across the racing calendar.
At Sandown, Derby hopeful Raaheeb upheld his family’s proud tradition with a stylish performance in a Classic Trial, while Opera Ballo turned the tables on Field Of Gold in a tightly contested mile showdown. In the jumps arena, trainer Dan Skelton expressed immense pride in his championship‑winning team, and Sky Sports Racing’s schedule for the day includes live coverage from Doncaster, Chepstow and Fontwell. The broadcast also touches on the growing trend of professional athletes entering horse ownership, noting that Luke Littler and Stephen Bunting have recently taken stakes in racehorses trained at Michael Owen’s stables. Meanwhile, the Greenham Stakes at Newbury will see a clash between Zavateri and Albert Einstein, adding further intrigue to the early‑season sprint scene.
Returning to the main feature, the panel reflects on Daryz’s impressive yet slightly uneven campaign last year. "Daryz had a great season last year, even though he did disappoint in the Juddmonte International, and saved his stallion career with victory in the Arc. I think he should be beating this field on seasonal debut and Mickael Barzalona gets on really well with him. He should be good enough on seasonal debut despite fitness not being on his side," one analyst observes.
Another voice adds perspective on the horse’s future targets, stating, "It was great to look back on the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe last year, having tipped up the winner in Daryz. He makes his seasonal reappearance today and the vibes from interviews on Sky Sports Racing from Francis‑Henri Graffard have been negative.
His main target will be the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot so I think he is beatable today, but I don't know what with. I think it will be just a watching brief for me with what connections have said so far." The discussion underscores the tactical considerations that bettors must weigh: Daryz’s proven class against a field that includes the improving Aventure, who may have learned from her previous mis‑run, and the steady form of Calandagan, who finished strongly in the Arc. The panel also debates the impact of weight assignments, track bias at Longchamp, and the potential for a late surge from Arrow Eagle, a horse that has shown a turn of foot over similar distances. Beyond the immediate race, the experts project how the outcome could shape the early summer campaign for several horses.
A victory for Daryz would cement his status as a top‑tier middle‑distance performer and likely place him as the early favourite for the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Ascot, while a strong showing from Aventure could revive her reputation and position her as a serious contender in upcoming Group 1 events such as the Coronation Cup. Meanwhile, Cualificar’s performance could influence his odds in the later-season Champion Stakes. The panel concludes by urging listeners to tune in to the live broadcast of the Prix Ganay on Sky Sports Racing, where they can watch the drama unfold in real time and make informed betting decisions based on the insights shared throughout the show. They also remind fans that the full episode of Weekend Winners is available on the At The Races YouTube channel for those who missed the live airing.
In summary, the Prix Ganay promises a compelling clash of established talent and hopeful challengers. Daryz, the returning Arc champion, will face a motivated field that includes the once‑disappointed Aventure, the reliable Calandagan and the promising Arrow Eagle.
With expert analysis highlighting form, fitness, weight, and race‑day conditions, bettors have a wealth of information to consider as they place their wagers on what could be a defining race early in the European flat season.