Kate Tracey, Callum Helliwell and Sam Boswell gather on the Weekend Winners programme to dissect the most promising betting strategies for a thrilling weekend of flat racing 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 finished third in the Arc—features six contenders vying for top honors over a demanding ten‑furlong distance.
Among the field is Daryz, the previous season's star who peaked for the French classic and now returns under the guidance of trainer Francis‑Henri Graffard. He will be joined by Cualificar, Arrow Eagle and Aventure, each hoping to make a mark in the prestigious event.
One of the panelists explains his personal wager: "I’m backing the favourite Daryz in the Prix Ganay, even though he was bested by my own selection in his final run last season. Aventure is also entered, but she suffered a disastrous ride in the Arc last year.
Drawn wide and unable to settle, she was forced to drop through the field like a stone sinking in water." He continues, "She was far from a disgraceful effort behind Calandagan last season, a horse with rock‑solid form who is effectively the stable companion to the favourite. If she gets a better draw this time and arrives fit and eager, I believe she can rebound to her true level today." The show also promotes its mobile platform, urging listeners to stay up‑to‑date with the latest racing news, interviews and feature pieces on their phones. Another commentator adds his perspective: "I will stick with the Arc winner Daryz for the Prix Ganay, which will be shown live on Sky Sports Racing. I’m abandoning my French fancy in Aventure after her previous disappointment." The segment then shifts to a rapid round‑up of other racing headlines: Kevin Doyle, a former Premier League striker, is chasing Cheltenham Festival glory with horses Augusta Kate and La Bague Au Roi; at Ascot, Kalpana defeated Calandagan in a tightly contested King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes; legendary jockey Ryan Moore has been awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours; Benvenuto Cellini leads a four‑horse Aidan O'Brien team for the Epsom Derby; At The Races analyst Kevin Blake shares his Derby day picks; and former jockey Levi Williams has been sentenced for the manslaughter of a pensioner after a pub‑side altercation.
Returning to the Prix Ganay discussion, a panelist praises Daryz’s previous campaign: "Daryz enjoyed a superb season last year, despite a disappointing run in the Juddmonte International. He salvaged his stud prospects by winning the Arc, and I think he should dominate this field on his seasonal debut.
Mickael Barzalona rides him exceptionally well, and even if his fitness isn’t perfect, the horse should still be competitive." He adds, "Reflecting on last year’s Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, I correctly tipped Daryz as the winner. He reappears today, but the mood in the Sky Sports Racing interviews with Francis‑Henri Graffard has been rather negative.
His primary target remains the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, so I suspect he may be a touch beatable today. However, I’ll treat it as a watching brief until the connections reveal more." The conversation then delves into tactical considerations for the ten‑furlong test.
Longchamp’s stiff uphill finish often rewards horses with a strong turn of foot and the ability to sustain a cruising speed into the final 200 metres. Daryz, having proven his stamina in the Arc’s 2400‑metre trip, should possess the necessary endurance, while his acceleration may be slightly compromised after a long off‑season. Aventure, on the other hand, struggled to find a rhythm in the Arc due to an unfavorable wide draw and a pace that never suited her closing style. If she receives a more advantageous starting position and a gentler early tempo, she could settle and unleash her late kick.
Cualificar and Arrow Eagle are also worth noting. Both have shown promising form in recent French Group races and could exploit any pace‑setting errors by the favourite. The panel suggests monitoring the early fractions; a blistering opening pace could stretch the field and give the outsiders a chance to close rapidly, whereas a slower, tactical pace would likely favour Daryz and the more seasoned runners. In terms of betting markets, the experts advise keeping an eye on the place terms for Daryz, as his odds may shorten quickly once the race begins.
Meanwhile, Aventure could offer value at longer odds if the bookmakers have over‑reacted to her previous poor showing. For punters seeking a more speculative play, the panel highlights the potential of a quinella pairing Daryz with either Cualificar or Arrow Eagle, which could yield attractive returns if the race unfolds as expected. Finally, the hosts remind listeners that the full Weekend Winners programme, including in‑depth analysis and post‑race interviews, is available on the At The Races YouTube channel.
They encourage fans to tune in for live coverage, expert commentary and the latest updates on the Prix Ganay and the rest of the weekend’s racing calendar.