Kate Tracey, Callum Helliwell and Sam Boswell gather on the Weekend Winners programme to dissect the most promising betting opportunities as the racing calendar heats up both at home and abroad. 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 – will feature six contenders battling over a demanding ten‑furlong distance. After a brilliant peak performance in the previous year's French classic, Daryz returns under the guidance of trainer Francis‑Henri Graffard.
He will be joined by Cualificar, Arrow Eagle and Aventure among the other entries looking to challenge the favourite. One of the panelists explains his thought process: “I’m backing the favourite Daryz in the Prix Ganay despite the fact that he lost to my 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. She was drawn wide, never settled, and sank through the field like a heavy stone dropped in water.
"She wasn’t disgraceful, however – she finished behind Calandagan, a horse with rock‑solid form who happens to be the stablemate of the favourite. If she is fit and eager this time, I think she can bounce back and deliver a strong performance.” The show also reminds listeners that they can stay up‑to‑date with the latest racing news, interviews and feature pieces on their mobile devices, ensuring they never miss a story. Another voice on the panel adds a contrasting viewpoint: “I’ll be siding with the Arc winner Daryz for the Prix Ganay on Sunday – the race will be shown live on Sky Sports Racing. I’m abandoning my French fancy on Aventure after her previous disappointment.
“Daryz enjoyed a superb season last year, even though he fell short in the Juddmonte International. He rescued his stud prospects with a victory in the Arc and, in my opinion, should dominate this field on his seasonal debut. Mickaël Barzalona rides him brilliantly, and despite any lingering fitness concerns, I expect Daryz to be a cut above the rest.” The conversation then shifts to a quick roundup of recent headlines: Bow Echo secured Billy Loughnane’s first Classic triumph in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket; Night Raider captured the Palace House Stakes for trainer Karl Burke; Hollie Doyle’s blog highlighted Paris Babe as the standout of her 2000 Guineas day rides and previewed the Royal Ascot Trials; Sky Sports Racing previewed the French Derby clash between Dolmalan and Montreal at Chantilly; the network’s experts offered predictions on flat horses to watch in 2026; and a correction was noted as Gstaad re‑entered the Newmarket mix after an administrative slip by Aidan O’Brien.
Returning to the Prix Ganay discussion, a panelist reflects on last year’s Arc: “It was fascinating to revisit the Arc, especially after I correctly tipped Daryz as the winner. He makes his seasonal re‑appearance today, and the buzz from Graffard’s interviews on Sky Sports Racing has been somewhat negative. "His primary target remains the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, so I suspect he could be vulnerable in this race. That said, I’m not entirely sure what to expect – I’ll probably treat it as a watching brief given the comments from his connections.” The segment concludes with a reminder that the full Weekend Winners programme can be streamed on the At The Races YouTube channel, offering fans a chance to catch every analysis, tip and racing story before the weekend’s big meetings.
Overall, the panel’s consensus paints a picture of a highly competitive Prix Ganay. Daryz enters as the clear favourite, backed by his recent Arc triumph and a strong partnership with Barzalona. Yet the field includes credible challengers: Aventure, who may be eager to redeem herself after a poor Arc run; Cualificar and Arrow Eagle, both possessing the stamina to handle the ten‑furlong test; and the seasoned Calandagan, whose consistent form makes him a dark horse. Bettors will need to weigh the weight‑for‑age allowances, the draw positions, and the fitness reports that emerge in the days leading up to the race.
For punters, the key considerations include Daryz’s ability to recover from a demanding season, Aventure’s potential bounce‑back after a wide, unsettled ride, and the impact of the Longchamp surface on each horse’s running style. The panel suggests keeping an eye on any last‑minute trainer comments, especially from Graffard, as they may reveal hidden concerns or confidence in the favourite’s condition. In summary, the upcoming Prix Ganay promises a thrilling contest between a proven Group 1 winner and a handful of ambitious challengers.
Whether Daryz will reaffirm his status at the top or an underdog like Aventure will stage a comeback remains to be seen, but the expert analysis provided by Tracey, Helliwell and Boswell offers a solid foundation for anyone looking to place an informed wager on Sunday’s race.