Aga Khan colt cut for Arc after impressive Group 2 win over Bay City Roller at Saint-Cloud

Daryz leapt into the reckoning for this year's Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe after defying a funereal pace set by Christophe Soumillon throughout the Group 2 Prix Eugene Adam aboard Scorthy Champ to run down Bay City Roller. 

Coral were suitably impressed and went 16-1 (from 25), while Paddy Power cut Daryz to 12-1 (from 20), after the Francis Graffard colt once again appeared to relish the quick ground in making it four wins from as many starts since making his debut in April. 

A son of Sea The Stars out of Hong Kong Vase winner Daryakana, Daryz is a half-brother to five black-type performers, including Dariyan, who won the Eugene Adam ten years ago at Maisons-Laffitte and went on to land the Prix Ganay the following May. 

"Today wasn't straightforward because they went absolutely no pace and he had to drop the bridle before showing proper acceleration," said the Aga Khan Studs' racing manager Nemone Routh. "He's a very good horse who is up to Group 1 level and is progressing with every run, although where he goes next we'll have to wait and see.

"Straight after he won his Listed race we thought he was our horse for the Grand Prix de Paris, but he's done all his winning over a mile and a quarter so there seemed no need to stretch him out straight away. 

"This was was the logical spot for him while Surabad stays a mile and a half, and I also think Azimpour will be better over that trip as he finishes off so well."

Routh added: "He's entered in the Arc and, while he's yet to encounter really soft ground, he might easily run in the race this year. He's bred to be very good; his dam and granddam were both Group 1 winners and he has five stakes-winning siblings, while he really takes after Sea The Stars.

"We've taken our time with him and Mickael [Barzalona] said he's taken another big step forward today."

The Juddmonte International could be next for Daryz and Graffard said: "The Juddmonte International is a race I’m thinking about for Daryz. I’ll ask Princess Zahra where she wants to go but I’ll make an entry for Daryz in that race.

"He’s a horse I like a lot and I need to make him tougher and give him experience, and I think he will get that if he goes abroad." 

Callum Shepherd felt Bay City Roller would be a different proposition on autumn ground and trainer George Scott was pleased with how the New Bay colt handled the step up in trip.

"He was very well positioned by Callum under the circumstances and ran with great credit, showing a very good attitude," said Scott. "On the day he was beaten by a better horse, one with a big reputation. But we're very happy with the way he's progressing."

Scott added: "We feel there's a lot more to come from Bay City Roller if he gets a bit stronger and really starts to express himself at a mile and a quarter, maybe even a mile and a half one day."

Earlier on the card, the Wertheimers' Green Spirit made it two from two in the class 2 Prix Amber Rama, after which trainer Christopher Head nominated the Group 3 Prix Six Perfections at Deauville as her next objective.

Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Longchamp, October 5)
Paddy Power: 10 Lambourn, Sosie, Whirl, 12 Daryz, Ombudsman, 14 Estrange, Kalpana, 16 Aventure, Camille Pissarro, Jan Brueghel, Minnie Hauk, 20 bar 

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