Ahead of the much‑anticipated Arc weekend, Hollie Doyle took a moment to pen an exclusive blog post, sharing her thoughts on the Maltese Cross campaign and the broader card at Longchamp. She opens by confirming her role on the Maltese Cross team for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, a 3m 05f contest that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing this Sunday. Doyle explains that the horse gives her husband Tom Marquand, trainer William Haggas, and owner George Waud a genuine shot at clinching one of the most prestigious races on the calendar.
Doyle highlights how spectacular Maltese Cross's 2023 season has been, insisting that the public has yet to see the full extent of his ability. She points to his performances in the Grand Prix de Paris and the Great Voltigeur at York as merely the tip of the iceberg, noting that both races exposed a hint of vulnerability but also demonstrated a remarkable mental maturity for a three‑year‑old.
That composure, she argues, will be vital when the horse faces the chaos of the Arc, especially given his wide draw from stall 11. Turning to the competition, Doyle acknowledges last year’s winner Daryz as a formidable rival.
Daryz enjoys a favourable draw and has been meticulously prepared by Francis‑Henri Graffard, making him a serious threat. Nevertheless, she reminds readers that Maltese Cross’s only loss this year came on softer ground in the Derby, suggesting that on firm French turf he will be a dominant force. She also expresses enthusiasm for the British‑trained filly Kalpana, trained by Andrew Balding. Kalpana has already proved she can hang with the colts, having taken the King George and then delivering a strong effort in the Yorkshire Oaks.
Doyle believes Kalpana could make a significant impact if she finds the right race conditions. The blog then shifts to the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac, where Green Empress is expected to be a hard‑pressed contender after a lackluster run in the Moyglare Stakes where she was outclassed by Sun Goddess. Doyle notes that any weakness in Green Empress could be seized upon by Godolphin’s Miss Miniver, an intriguing runner with a solid pedigree.
She encourages fans to stay updated via the Sky Sports Racing app for the latest news, interviews and features. Doyle also mentions Allela, a market rival to Green Empress, who is backed by Roger Varian after a fourth‑place finish in the Group 2 Rockfel at Newmarket. The upcoming race could present a chance to secure a relatively weak Group 1 at attractive odds.
Continuing the preview, Doyle looks at the Qatar Prix Jean‑Luc Lagardère, where Joseph O'Brien’s Folsom Blues is poised to extend his excellent season. The son of Blue Point had a respectable defeat behind Sun Goddess in the Phoenix Stakes before rebounding emphatically in the Group 1 National Stakes.
Although his draw is not ideal, Doyle believes his class can overcome that hurdle, especially as James Doyle’s Imperial Strike appears over‑priced in his quest to improve on a Group 3 form line. Doyle then turns her attention to the Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp, where she would love to see Naana’s Shadow, trained by Katie Scott, capture the sprint.
Scott, who manages a modest string of horses, has nurtured the grey filly into a Group 3 winner over the same distance and course, making her a logical favourite. However, the filly’s stall 13 draw is less than ideal on a track that heavily rewards inside positions. Doyle predicts that Francis‑Henri Graffard’s SHIRI could upset the form, while keeping an eye on Harry Eustace’s Time For Sandals, a horse capable of a close finish if she returns to top condition.
She also discusses Aventure, who will aim to add a short‑priced Group 1 to her résumé in the Prix de l'Opéra after a strong showing in the Prix Romanet. Christophe Ferland’s mare beat a sub‑par Diamond Necklace, leaving some doubts about the quality of that victory.
Doyle favours Aidan O’Brien’s Precise, who has struggled to replicate her Coronation Stakes win but demonstrated she can compete with elite company before a lackluster Matron effort. Precise appears more promising now, especially with the ever‑consistent Pink Panthera likely to settle for another placing. In the Qatar Prix de la Forêt, Fozzy Stack could deliver a win for Ireland with Thesecretadversary, a horse that should settle into a comfortable rhythm on a track that plays to his strengths.
The step back in distance suits the Jersey Stakes winner, offering a value alternative to the favourite Samangan, who only scraped a win in a crowded finish at Deauville. Aidan O’Brien’s True Love, despite a fifth‑place finish in the same race and a sub‑par Matron run, could benefit from a shorter trip and still be a factor. Doyle then highlights William Haggas, who not only prepares Maltese Cross for the Arc but also targets two feature races at Ascot on Saturday, including the Group 3 Bet MGM Cumberland Lodge Stakes. Veteran Al Aasy is identified as the class horse in that contest, having already secured a higher‑level victory this year and pairing well with jockey Danny Tudhope.
Stablemate Tenability, a tough competitor who won the Listed August Stakes at Windsor, looks progressive but will need to step up to challenge Al Aasy. The Division, which narrowly missed a Group 1 win in the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville, adds depth to the John Guest Racing Bengough Stakes field. William Haggas’s Wathnan Racing colt may be compromised by a slow start, yet the race could provide a valuable Group 3 win if conditions suit him.
Potential spoilers include Godolphin’s Hidden Force, who has undergone wind‑surgery after a runner‑up finish in the Craven, and Marco Botti’s Prince Of India, fresh off a Listed win at Newmarket. Doyle concludes by noting her conversation with Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft and reminding viewers that every race from Autumn Racing Weekend at Ascot will be streamed live on Sky Sports Racing throughout Friday and Saturday.