'I can't envisage a situation where he won't be bang there entering the final furlong' - why this horse can win the Arc
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Our tipsters and reporters provide their selections for one of Europe's greatest races.
Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (3.05 Longchamp)
Daryz
By Scott Burton, France correspondent
I’ve made a habit of opposing returning Arc winners. But, having put up Daryz here 12 months ago, I’m going to stick with him.
In the spring he produced a pair of blistering efforts over 1m2½f and 1m1f on quick ground, producing closing sectionals that none of his rivals here can match. He looked very good in the Prix Foy, and is there a three-year-old improving fast enough to catch up to him?
Maltese Cross is the right market rival but, granted a clean run round, Daryz has too many gears for him.
What makes Daryz a champion? Watch our short film about last year's Arc hero as he is prepared for a second tilt at Europe's greatest Flat race. Our cameras have been over to France to film him in his work and to seek insights from those around him, including trainer Francis Graffard, jockey Mickael Barzalona and staff at the Aga Khan Studs who helped raise him from birth.
Maltese Cross
By David Jennings
Had you told me Maltese Cross would be winning the Arc before the Great Voltigeur, I would have laughed hysterically in your face. He was not good enough to win a poor Derby, so how on earth would he be good enough to win Europe's marquee race?
But what he did at York was different. The way he moved through the race was different, the way he quickened to the front was different, and the way he was able to swat away Pierre Bonnard, whom he was giving 5lb to, was different.
He's getting better with every run and I can't envisage a situation where he won't be bang there entering the final furlong. He's a cracking each-way bet.
Kalpana
By Stuart Redding, tipster
Fillies and mares have done well in this recently and I fancy Kalpana to secure another victory for the girls.
She was only seventh in last year’s race but has taken her form to a new high since then with three Group 1 victories. A win in the King George proved that 1m4f on quick ground is an ideal test.
By Sam Hardy, tipster
Kalpana has made rapid improvement since finishing seventh behind Daryz in this race last year, winning four of her next five starts, three of which have come in Group 1 company and, given her current form, she can land Europe’s richest race.
Her mares’ allowance could prove vital as it did with her defeat of Calandagan in the King George at Ascot on her penultimate start. The daughter of Study Of Man ran a career best in the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks last time, earning her a mark of 125, and good to soft ground, which appears likely, will suit perfectly.
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Thundering On
By Steve Boow, tipster
Thundering On who is favourably drawn, gets all the allowances, promises to improve further back at 1m4f and represents a yard that's having an excellent 2026.
The selection looks set to thunder home, having finished her races strongly since upped to middle distances, aside from one excusable effort.
Diamond Necklace
By James Hill, tipster
Obviously Daryz deserves to be favourite, but winning back-to-back Arcs is a very difficult task and the value lies with the Ballydoyle fillies. Minnie Hauk has form virtually to the pound with the market leader, while the money had come for Diamond Necklace prior to Thursday's draw.
Her defeat last time wouldn’t worry me so much, and it’s more a question of whether she’ll stay. Proven form over 1m4f is usually a prerequisite for the Arc, but it could be that times are changing.
Read these next:
2026 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp: the runners, the odds, the verdict
Daryz: The Inheritance | The story of the Aga Khan Studs star born for the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe
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- Daryz's special Arc win not enough to move past flawless Blue Bolt in race for the Cartier horse of the year award
- Pre-race analysis has become completely barmy and the Arc proved it - yet everyone will make the same mistake again next year
- Princess Zahra Aga Khan reaffirms racing and breeding's role in supporting rural communities in keynote address at IFHA conference
- WATCH: back-to-back Arc wins - so is Daryz an all-time great? | The Front Page
- 'Every single day he reaches for the sky' - high praise for Francis Graffard after brilliant Daryz lands back-to-back Arc successes
- Daryz's special Arc win not enough to move past flawless Blue Bolt in race for the Cartier horse of the year award
- Pre-race analysis has become completely barmy and the Arc proved it - yet everyone will make the same mistake again next year
- Princess Zahra Aga Khan reaffirms racing and breeding's role in supporting rural communities in keynote address at IFHA conference
- WATCH: back-to-back Arc wins - so is Daryz an all-time great? | The Front Page
- 'Every single day he reaches for the sky' - high praise for Francis Graffard after brilliant Daryz lands back-to-back Arc successes