Kate Tracey, Callum Helliwell and Sam Boswell gather on the Weekend Winners programme to dissect the most promising betting opportunities as the racing calendar fills up with high‑profile events both at home 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 transmitted live from Longchamp in Paris at 3:25 p.m. on Sunday.
The race, won last season by Sosie – who later proved himself a credible third‑place finisher in the Arc – now features a field of six contenders battling over the extended ten‑furlong distance. Among them is the returning favourite, Daryz, who shone in the previous edition of the Prix Ganay under the guidance of trainer Francis‑Henri Graffard. He will be joined by the likes of Cualificar, Arrow Eagle and the mare Aventure, all of whom have been earmarked as potential spoilers.
One of the panelists offered a candid assessment of the mare Aventure, recalling her disastrous run in the previous year’s Arc. "I am backing Daryz as the top choice for Sunday’s Prix Ganay, even though he was beaten by my own pick in his last outing of the season. Aventure is also in the field, but she endured a nightmare trip in the Arc – a wide draw coupled with a relentless pace left her unable to settle, and she was dragged through the pack like a stone sinking in water." He continued, "She was far from a disgraceful performer behind Calandagan last season – Calandagan is a rock‑solid form and essentially the stable companion to the favourite. Aventure will be carrying less weight this time, and if she arrives fit and eager, I believe she can rebound to her previous level today." The discussion then shifted to a broader preview of the weekend’s racing news, with reminders that listeners can stay up‑to‑date on the latest stories, interviews and feature pieces via the Sky Sports Racing app.
The panel also highlighted a series of other headlines: Bow Echo’s breakthrough Classic victory in the 2000 Guineas for trainer Billy Loughnane at Newmarket, Night Raider’s Palace House Stakes triumph for owner Karl Burke, and a blog entry from Hollie Doyle praising Paris Babe as her top pick on 2000 Guineas day while also previewing the Royal Ascot Trials. Further items on the agenda included a preview of the French Derby clash at Chantilly between Dolmalan and Montreal, a look ahead to the flat horses that are expected to dominate the 2026 season according to the Sky Sports Racing team, and a note about Gstaad being reinstated into the Newmarket mix after an administrative error by Aidan O'Brien. Returning to the Prix Ganay, another commentator expressed confidence in Daryz, noting his impressive campaign last year despite a disappointing run in the Juddmonte International. "Daryz had a stellar season overall – he rescued his stud prospects with that Arc win – and I think he should dominate this field on his seasonal debut.
Mickael Barzalona has a great rapport with him, and even if his fitness isn’t perfect, the horse possesses enough class to prevail." A third voice reflected on last year’s Arc, where Daryz had been the panel’s tip and went on to win. "Looking back at the Arc, I was delighted to have identified Daryz as the victor. He returns today, and the atmosphere on Sky Sports Racing, especially the comments from Graffard’s camp, has been rather pessimistic.
His main objective for the season will be the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, so I suspect he may be vulnerable in this race. That said, I’m keeping a watching brief – the connections have hinted at a tactical approach that could keep him in contention." The panel wrapped up by urging listeners to watch the full Weekend Winners show on the At The Races YouTube channel, where the in‑depth analysis of the Prix Ganay and other upcoming contests will be explored further. In summary, while Daryz remains the odds‑on favourite, the presence of Aventure, who is hoping to shed the baggage of her previous Arc disappointment, adds an element of intrigue.
The six‑horse field promises a tactical battle over ten furlongs, with weight assignments, draw positions and recent form all likely to influence the outcome. Whether Daryz can reaffirm his status as a top‑class miler‑to‑middle‑distance performer, or whether an under‑dog like Aventure or one of the other challengers will cause an upset, will be decided when the gates open at Longchamp this Sunday.