Kate Tracey, Callum Helliwell and Sam Boswell gathered on the Weekend Winners programme to dissect the most promising betting opportunities for an action‑packed racing weekend both in Britain and overseas. As the broadcast drew to a close, the trio turned their attention to the upcoming Prix Ganay, a Group 1 contest that will be transmitted live from Longchamp in Paris at 3:25 p.m.
on Sunday. The race, which was won last season by Sosie—who later finished third in the Arc—features a field of six contenders stretching out over a demanding ten‑furlong distance.
Among the entries, Daryz returns as the clear market favourite after a stellar performance in the previous edition of the French classic. He will be ridden by veteran French trainer Francis‑Henri Graffard, who also has three other runners in the mix: Cualificar, Arrow Eagle and the filly Aventure. One of the panelists opened with a personal wager: “I’m backing the favourite Daryz in the Prix Ganay on Sunday, even though he was beaten by my own selection in his last outing of the previous season.” The speaker went on to explain why Aventure, despite a disastrous run in the Arc last year, still holds appeal.
“Aventure drew a wide, unfavourable stall last time and never settled. She was forced to the back of the field like a stone sinking in water. That performance does not reflect her true ability.” The commentator added that Aventure’s previous effort was far from disgraceful when compared with the form of Calandagan, a horse that finished strongly behind the winner and has consistently demonstrated rock‑solid form.
“If Aventure is fit and eager today, I think she will bounce back and prove her worth,” the analyst said. The programme also reminded listeners that they can stay up‑to‑date with the latest racing news, interviews and feature stories on their mobile devices, encouraging them to explore the app for continuous coverage. Another voice on the show declared a different perspective: “I will be siding with the Arc winner Daryz for the Prix Ganay on Sunday – live on Sky Sports Racing.
I’m abandoning my French fancy in Aventure after her disappointment last time.” The broadcast then shifted to a roundup of other racing headlines. At Ascot, Kalpana triumphed over Calandagan in a thrilling King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes duel. Legendary jockey Ryan Moore was honoured with an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours list. In the build‑up to the Derby, Benvenuto Cellini leads a quartet of Aidan O’Brien‑trained runners for the Epsom Classic, while Kevin Blake of At The Races offered his own Derby selections.
Outside the sport, former jockey Levi Williams was sentenced to prison for the manslaughter of a pensioner he assaulted outside a pub. Andrew Balding expressed confidence in the stamina of his horse Item ahead of the Epsom meeting.
Returning to the Prix Ganay discussion, one contributor praised Daryz’s previous season: “Daryz had a great campaign last year, even though he was a let‑down in the Juddmonte International. He rescued his stallion prospects by winning the Arc, and I think he should dominate this field on his seasonal debut.
Mickaël Barzalona has a strong rapport with him, and despite any lingering fitness concerns, the horse should be competitive.” Another panelist reflected on the Arc memories: “It was great to look back at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe last year, having tipped Daryz as the winner. He makes his seasonal reappearance today, and the vibe from interviews on Sky Sports Racing with Francis‑Henri Graffard has been rather negative.” The speaker noted that Daryz’s primary target for the season will be the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, suggesting that the Prix Ganay could serve as a stepping stone rather than a final objective. “I think he is beatable today, but I’m not certain how the race will unfold. For now, I’ll adopt a watching brief based on what the connections have said.” In summary, the Weekend Winners panel presented a balanced view of the Prix Ganay field.
While Daryz commands the favourite tag thanks to his proven Group 1 credentials and a strong partnership with Barzalona, there are credible reasons to consider the other entrants. Aventure, despite a poor Arc run, may have been compromised by a wide draw and could rediscover her form if she settles well. Cualificar and Arrow Eagle, both trained by Graffard, could also benefit from a race that suits their stamina profile. The discussion highlighted the importance of assessing each horse’s recent fitness, the impact of race‑day conditions, and the strategic intentions of their trainers.
Fans are encouraged to watch the full Weekend Winners episode on the At The Races YouTube channel, where the analysis is presented in greater depth, along with additional interviews and behind‑the‑scenes insights that could prove valuable for anyone looking to place an informed wager on Sunday’s Prix Ganay.