Kate Tracey, Callum Helliwell and Sam Boswell gathered on the Weekend Winners programme to dissect the most promising betting strategies for an action‑packed racing weekend both at home and abroad. As the broadcast drew to a close, the trio turned their attention to the upcoming Prix Ganay, a Group 1 contest that will be streamed live from Longchamp in Paris at 3:25 p.m. on Sunday. The race, won last season by Sosie—who later proved his class by finishing third in the Arc—will feature six contenders battling over an extended distance of ten furlongs.
After a brilliant performance in the previous year’s French classic, Daryz is set to return under the guidance of trainer Francis‑Henri Graffard. He will be joined by Cualificar, Arrow Eagle and the filly Aventure, among others, all eager to challenge for top honours.
One of the panelists explained his reasoning: "I’m backing the favourite Daryz for the Prix Ganay on Sunday, even though he was beaten by my own pick in his most recent outing last season. Aventure is also in the field, but she endured a disastrous run in the Arc last year.
Drawn wide and overly keen, she never settled and sank through the pack like a stone dropped into water." He continued, "She was far from disgraceful when she finished behind Calandagan last season—a horse with rock‑solid form who happens to be the stablemate of the favourite. If she can shed the extra weight this time and arrives fit and eager, I believe she can rebound to her best form today." The show reminded listeners to stay up‑to‑date with the latest racing news, interviews and feature stories via their mobile devices, promising a constant stream of information for the avid fan. Another voice on the panel declared, "I will be siding with the Arc winner Daryz for the Prix Ganay on Sunday – the race will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. I’m abandoning my French fancy on Aventure after her previous disappointment." The discussion then shifted to other headline events: at Ascot, Kalpana edged out Calandagan in a thrilling King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes clash; legendary jockey Ryan Moore was honoured with an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours; and Aidan O'Brien entered a quartet of runners, led by Benvenuto Cellini, for the Epsom Derby.
Kevin Blake of At The Races offered his Derby day selections, while a separate news item reported former jockey Levi Williams being jailed for the manslaughter of a pensioner he struck outside a pub. Andrew Balding expressed confidence in Item’s stamina ahead of the Epsom classic.
Returning to the Prix Ganay, the commentator noted, "Daryz had an excellent campaign last year, despite a disappointing run in the Juddmonte International, and he secured his future at stud with a victory in the Arc. I think he should dominate this field on his seasonal debut, especially with Mickael Barzalona riding him so fluently.
Even if his fitness isn’t at its peak, his class should see him through." He added, "It was fascinating to revisit last year’s Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, where I correctly tipped Daryz as the winner. He returns today, but the mood from recent Sky Sports Racing interviews with Graffard has been rather negative.
His primary target remains the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot, so I suspect he may be vulnerable in this race. That said, I’ll adopt a watching brief and see how the connections' comments play out." The panel also examined the broader implications of the race. A victory for Daryz would reaffirm his status as a top‑class middle‑distance performer and boost his appeal as a future sire, especially after a season that included an Arc triumph.
Conversely, an upset by Aventure or any of the other runners could reshape betting markets ahead of the spring festivals, offering value to punters who anticipate a surprise. Beyond the immediate contest, the analysts highlighted several factors that could influence the outcome: the going at Longchamp, which is expected to be soft to yielding after recent rain; the draw, with inside stalls traditionally favoured over the ten‑furlong distance; and the pace scenario, where a strong early tempo could benefit closers like Arrow Eagle, while a slower, tactical race might play into Daryz’s hands as the favourite. In summary, the Weekend Winners team provided a thorough preview of the Prix Ganay, weighing the merits of the favourite Daryz against the potential resurgence of Aventure and the other challengers. Listeners were encouraged to tune in to Sky Sports Racing for live coverage and to follow the ongoing discussion on At The Races' YouTube channel, where the full episode of Weekend Winners is available for replay.