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 calendar both at home 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 streamed 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 six contenders battling over a demanding ten‑furlong distance. After a peak performance in the previous year’s French classic, Daryz returns under the tutelage of trainer Francis‑Henri Graffard. He will be joined by Cualificar, Arrow Eagle and the filly Aventure, among others, all eager to test their mettle against the favorite.
One of the panelists explained his reasoning: “I’m backing Daryz in the Prix Ganay despite the fact that 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, she never settled and sank through the pack like a stone dropped in water.” He continued, “She was far from a disgrace behind Calandagan last season—Calandagan is a rock‑solid performer and the stablemate of the favourite.
If Aventure is fit and keen today, she could shed the weight she carried previously and bounce back to form.” The conversation then shifted to a broader preview of the weekend’s headlines. Listeners were reminded to stay up‑to‑date with the latest racing news, interviews and feature stories via their mobile devices. The programme highlighted several other stories, including Kalpana’s victory over Calandagan in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, legendary jockey Ryan Moore’s recent MBE award in the King’s Birthday Honours, and Aidan O’Brien’s four‑horse contingent led by Benvenuto Cellini for the Epsom Derby. Additional items covered were Kevin Blake’s Derby selections for At The Races, former jockey Levi Williams’ conviction for manslaughter after a bar‑room altercation, and Andrew Balding’s confidence in Item’s stamina ahead of the Epsom Classic.
Returning to the Prix Ganay, the analyst reaffirmed his support for Daryz: “Daryz had an outstanding season last year, even though he fell short in the Juddmonte International. He redeemed himself with a win in the Arc, securing his future as a stallion.
I expect him to dominate this field on his seasonal debut, especially with Mickael Barzalona riding him so fluently. Fitness may be a question, but the horse’s class should see him through.” He added a personal note about his previous predictions: “It was satisfying to look back at last year’s Arc and have correctly tipped Daryz as the winner. He re‑appears today, and the atmosphere on Sky Sports Racing, especially the comments from Graffard, has been rather negative. His primary target remains the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, so I consider him beatable in this race, though I’m keeping a cautious eye on the connections’ statements.” The panel also discussed the tactical implications of the Longchamp draw.
A wide starting position can force a horse to race off the pace, which may have contributed to Aventure’s previous underperformance. Conversely, a favorable draw could allow Daryz to settle near the front and dictate the tempo, a scenario that suits Barzalona’s riding style.
In terms of betting markets, the experts noted that Daryz’s odds have shortened as more punters place confidence in his proven ability over ten furlongs. Meanwhile, Aventure’s price has lengthened due to her recent disappointment, presenting a potential value bet for those who believe she will recover. Listeners were encouraged to watch the full Weekend Winners episode on the At The Races YouTube channel, where the discussion continues in greater depth and additional expert insights are offered. The programme promises to deliver comprehensive coverage of the Prix Ganay, including pre‑race form analysis, jockey interviews, and live updates as the race unfolds.
Overall, the consensus among the panel is that Daryz remains the horse to beat, but the presence of quality rivals such as Cualificar, Arrow Eagle and a potentially rejuvenated Aventure ensures that the Prix Ganay will be a thrilling contest for both racing enthusiasts and bettors alike.