Horses to follow: Arc Weekend

A huge week-end of racing at ParisLongchamp, live on Sky Sports Racing, headlined by the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. I’m with the favourite Daryz in the big one, as he has been my idea of the 2026 Arc winner since spring of last year, however I didn’t expect him to pick up the 2025 on the way! 

He is better and stronger than ever this year and has a great preparation and draw so is going to be tough to beat. Outside the feature race, here are five more French chances to follow in a weekend of superb action. 

PHINEAS

Qatar Prix Dollar - 12:58, Saturday

Unbeaten in 2026 since being gelded and missing the second half of 2025, Phineas looks a top-class prospect and represents one of the major chances for master trainer Andre Fabre and his daughter Lavinia over this Arc weekend. He has stepped up progressively this season, winning a pair of Listed events and most recently was barely out of a canter to score in the Group 3 Prix du Prince d’Orange over the Dollar course and distance. Beautifully-bred, the Wertheimer four-year-old is out of a half-sister to dual Group 1 winner and Prix de l’Opera favourite Aventure, and is a half-brother to Prix Marcel Boussac supplementary entry Allela. 

SUNLY 

Qatar Prix de Royallieu - 3:25, Saturday

Sunly was high on my list for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe after her eye-catching third in the Prix Vermeille. Unlucky in that trial when stumbling on exiting the stalls and then suffering interference in the straight, Francis Graffard has decided to aim for this easier option with the objective of gaining a Group 1 victory for the Juddmonte filly. Sunly has looked a top-level winner in the making since last spring, and her only other Group 1 attempt was consolidated with an excellent third behind Calandagan in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. She is unbeaten with Christophe Soumillon in the saddle and the Belgian pilot takes over again as Colin Keane is in Group 1 action at Newmarket, while Graffard is confident that the longer trip will prove no problem. 

AMUSINGLY 

Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere - 1:09 Sunday

Amusingly is an intriguing supplement for this race as Francis Graffard scratched his filly from the Prix Marcel Boussac to add her against the colts in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere over seven furlongs. The daughter of No Nay Never is out of a half-sister to Frankel and possesses a streak of class which is worthy of her blue-blooded pedigree. The shorter trip looks tailor-made for her and I would have no concerns about a filly taking on the colts as they can mature more quickly and also benefit from a weight advantage. Jockey Colin Keane gained experience with Amusingly in the Prix d’Aumale and could take this opportunity to open his ParisLongchamp account. 

PINK PANTHERA

Prix de l’Opera Longines - 3:50 Sunday

It may be worth taking a chance against the favourite Aventure, on Pink Panthera who has been knocking at the door at the top level this season. Pierre-Charles Boudot’s mount receives the three-year-olds’ weight advantage of 2kg and should be suited by a race which looks likely to have plenty of pace. Pink Panthera’s two most recent outings have come over a mile and a half, whereas her optimum trip is arguably the ten furlongs of the Opera. Clues to her formline will be apparent in the previous race, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, as she has latterly chased home both Friendly Soul and Diamond Necklace. 

SKYLIGHT BROCHARD  

Qatar Grand Handicap des Flyers Presente Par RMC - 5:00 Sunday

Skylight Brochard has great credentials for this competitive feature seven-furlong handicap. Trained by Tim Donworth, he was a course and distance winner in June over this track which requires a specific aptitude. Fourth in the trial last month after racing wide, the consistent performer has got a great draw in stall 3 on this occasion and Pierre-Charles Boudot is booked.