Ahead of the much‑anticipated Arc weekend, jockey Hollie Doyle took a moment to share her thoughts in an exclusive blog post, offering insight into the Maltese Cross campaign and the broader racing card at Longchamp. She writes that she will be aboard Maltese Cross for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, a 3m 05f contest slated for Sunday at ParisLongchamp and broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. Doyle emphasizes that the horse gives her husband, Tom Marquand, trainer William Haggas, and owner George Waud a genuine shot at securing one of the most prestigious victories in the sport.
Doyle praises Maltese Cross’s 2023 season as "spectacular" and suggests that the colt has yet to reveal his full potential. She points to the Grand Prix de Paris and the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York as merely the tip of the iceberg, noting that while the horse was slightly roughed up in those races, his composure for a three‑year‑old is exceptional. This mental toughness, she argues, will be crucial when navigating the chaos of the Arc, especially from a wide draw in stall 11.
The former champion Daryz, who won the Arc last year, will be a formidable rival. Daryz benefits from a favorable draw and the meticulous preparation of his trainer, Francis‑Henri Graffard.
Nonetheless, Doyle believes Maltese Cross, whose only loss this year came on softer ground in the Derby, remains a serious threat to the entire field. She also expresses enthusiasm for the British‑trained filly Kalpana, owned by Andrew Balding. Kalpana has already proven she can compete with the best males by winning the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and putting in a strong performance in the Yorkshire Oaks. Doyle hopes the mare can make an impact in the Arc as well.
Turning to the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac (Criterium des Pouliches), Doyle notes that Green Empress is likely to be outclassed in a slightly disappointing renewal of the race. The filly, trained by Joseph O'Brien, was outpaced by the prolific Sun Goddess in the Moyglare Stakes, and any weakness could be exploited by Godolphin’s Miss Miniver. In a related note, Doyle highlights that Green Empress’s market rival Allela could be a surprise factor.
Trainer Roger Varian is backing Allela, a daughter of Wootton Bassett, after a fourth‑place finish in the Group 2 Rockfel at Newmarket. This could present a chance to claim a relatively weak Group 1 at attractive odds. The blog also covers the Qatar Prix Jean‑Luc Lagardère Longines, where Joseph O'Brien’s colt Folsom Blues is poised to continue his impressive season.
Folsom Blues, a son of Blue Point, rebounded from a narrow defeat behind Sun Goddess in the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh by winning the Group 1 National Stakes in emphatic fashion. Although his draw was not ideal, Doyle believes his class will overcome that obstacle, while James Doyle’s Imperial Strike appears overpriced given its recent Group 3 form. Doyle then shifts focus to the Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp Longines, where she hopes Naana's Shadow can deliver a victory for trainer Katie Scott.
Scott, who operates a small but highly effective stable, has guided the grey filly to a Group 3 trial win over the same distance and course last month, making her a strong favorite. However, a starting stall 13 on a draw‑dependent track could be problematic, and Doyle will be watching Francis‑Henri Graffard’s SHIRI and Harry Eustace’s Time For Sandals closely as potential challengers. In the Prix Romanet, Aventure will be a short‑priced option after her Group 1 success, but Doyle questions the strength of the form that saw her defeat a sub‑par Diamond Necklace.
She prefers Aidan O'Brien’s filly Precise, who, despite a lackluster run in the Matron, has previously shown she can handle top‑class competition after her Coronation Stakes victory at Royal Ascot. Precise, Doyle notes, appears far stronger now and could be a solid alternative to the likely favorite, while the ever‑consistent Pink Panthera is likely to secure another placing. The Qatar Prix de la Forêt offers another opportunity for Irish connections, with Fozzy Stack’s mount Thesecretadversary expected to settle into a comfortable rhythm on a track that suits his style.
The horse’s step back in distance should suit the former Jersey Stakes winner, who presents a value alternative to the favorite Samangan, a horse that only managed a narrow win in a crowded finish at Deauville. Aidan O'Brien’s True Love, after a fifth‑place finish in the same race and a subpar effort in the Matron, could also benefit from a drop in distance and may prove to be a hidden gem. Looking ahead to Ascot’s weekend, Doyle points out that William Haggas, who trains Maltese Cross for the Arc, also has two feature races on his agenda on Saturday, including the Group 3 Bet MGM Cumberland Lodge Stakes. Veteran Al Aasy is highlighted as the class horse in that contest, having already secured a higher‑level win this year and likely to be partnered with jockey Danny Tudhope.
Stablemate Tenability, a tough competitor who captured the Listed August Stakes at Windsor, is also in the mix and will need to step up to challenge Al Aasy. Meanwhile, Division, who narrowly missed the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville, will target the John Guest Racing Bengough Stakes, a race that demands a high standard of performance.
Haggas’s Wathnan Racing colt may have a slow start, but if the race unfolds to suit him, it could be a valuable Group 3 addition to his record. Potential vulnerabilities could be exposed by Godolphin’s Hidden Force, who has undergone wind surgery since finishing a beaten favorite in the Craven Stakes, while Marco Botti’s Prince Of India will aim to continue his progress after a Listed win at Newmarket. Finally, Doyle mentions her interview with Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft and encourages fans to watch every race from Autumn Racing Weekend at Ascot live on Sky Sports Racing across Friday and Saturday. She underscores the excitement of the upcoming fixtures and the chance for both established stars and emerging talents to shine on the international stage.