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 at home and overseas. As the broadcast drew to a close, the trio turned their attention to the upcoming Sunday contest – the Prix Ganay – which will be transmitted live from Longchamp in Paris at 3:25 p.m.
The Prix Ganay, a Group 1 test over ten furlongs, will feature six contenders vying for top‑level glory. The race is notable because it was won last season by Sosie, who later went on to finish third in the prestigious Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. This year, the field includes the reigning champion Daryz, trained by Francis‑Henri Graffard, alongside challengers such as Cualificar, Arrow Eagle and the filly Aventure.
One of the panelists explained his reasoning for backing Daryz despite the filly’s recent poor performance: “I’m still taking the favourite Daryz in the Prix Ganay on Sunday, even though he was beaten by my pick in his last outing of the previous season. Aventure is also in the race but she had a disastrous run in the Arc last year. She was drawn wide, never settled, and basically sank through the field like a stone dropped in water.
"She wasn’t completely outclassed – she finished well behind Calandagan, who is a rock‑solid performer and the stablemate of the favourite – but she didn’t get a fair chance. If she’s fit and eager this time, I think she could rebound to form.” The show reminded listeners that they can stay up‑to‑date with the latest racing news, interviews and feature pieces on their mobile devices, encouraging them to explore further content. Another voice on the panel declared a clear preference for Daryz: “I will back the Arc winner Daryz for the Prix Ganay on Sunday – the race will be shown live on Sky Sports Racing. I’m abandoning my earlier French fancy, Aventure, after her disappointment last time.” The discussion then shifted to a rapid round‑up of other racing headlines: - Kevin Doyle, a former Premier League striker, is now pursuing a Cheltenham Festival title with the horses Augusta Kate and La Bague Au Roi.
- At Ascot, Kalpana edged out 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 Derby, Benvenuto Cellini will lead a four‑horse Aidan O’Brien contingent for the classic at Epsom. - Epsom tipster Kevin Blake of At The Races shared his selections for Derby day.
- Former jockey Levi Williams was sentenced to prison for the manslaughter of a pensioner he struck outside a pub. Returning to the Prix Ganay, one commentator praised Daryz’s previous campaign: “Daryz had a stellar season last year, even though he fell short in the Juddmonte International.
He rescued his stallion prospects with an Arc victory, and I think he should dominate this field on his seasonal debut. Mickaël Barzalona gets a great rapport with him, and despite any fitness concerns, Daryz should be strong enough to win.” A second panelist reflected on the Arc of the previous year: “It was fascinating to look back at last year’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe after I correctly tipped Daryz as the winner.
He’s making his first start of the new season today, and the mood from the Sky Sports Racing interviews with Graffard has been rather negative. "His main target will be the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, so I suspect he could be vulnerable today. I’m not entirely sure what to expect, but I’ll treat it as a watching brief based on what his connections have hinted at.” The panel also examined the broader context of the race.
The Prix Ganay often serves as a key early‑season indicator for middle‑distance horses aiming at the summer’s top events, such as the Prince of Wales’s Stakes and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. A strong performance here can shape a horse’s campaign, influencing trainer decisions about distance, target races, and even breeding value. For Daryz, a win would reaffirm his status as a top‑class middle‑distance performer and boost his appeal as a future sire. Conversely, a sub‑par showing could raise questions about his ability to return to peak form after a winter break.
Aventure, meanwhile, will be looking to erase the memory of her lackluster Arc run. If she can settle early, find a rhythm and unleash a finishing kick, she could surprise the market and provide a lucrative payout for those who still believe in her latent talent.
The panel concluded by urging listeners to tune in to the live broadcast, watch the race replays on the At The Races YouTube channel, and keep an eye on the evolving betting markets as more information emerges from the paddocks and trainers’ statements. Overall, the consensus leans heavily toward Daryz as the most reliable pick, with Aventure positioned as a high‑risk, high‑reward outsider. As the horses line up at Longchamp, the racing community will be watching closely to see whether the favourite lives up to expectations or whether an underdog can turn the tables in this prestigious ten‑furlong contest.