Reigning champion Daryz back at Longchamp and 'in his groove' as all roads lead to the Arc

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For all the new frontiers which Francis Graffard and the Aga Khan Studs have set out to conquer in the last couple of years, there is something timeless about their campaigning of Daryz en route to the defence of his Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe crown. 

The return of a top-class colt after the traditional French summer break used to be the hallmark of Arc trials day, and the chief fascination of a glittering Longchamp card is the reappearance of Daryz in the Prix Foy (4.35), 81 days after he laboured into third place behind Ombudsman and Minnie Hauk in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot. 

The Foy rarely attracts a big field but even among just four declared it boasts two of the top six in the ante-post lists for the Arc, with Bay City Roller warming up for Europe's biggest race off an even longer break dating back to his devastating display in the Coronation Cup at the beginning of June.