Longchamp will stage the first Group 1 of the European season on Sunday with the running of the Prix Ganay World Pool by PMU, and while the field may be small, there is plenty of quality and intrigue around the 2100-metre contest.
Only six runners will line up, with the race featuring no overseas representation and just four trainers involved, but that should not take anything away from the depth of the field. This is a proper Group 1, bringing together last season’s Arc winner, proven top-level performers and a strong team from Andre Fabre that already has race fitness on its side.
The clear headline runner is Daryz, who returns for the first time since his outstanding victory in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe last year. That performance announced him as one of the leading middle-distance horses in Europe, as he defeated Minnie Hauk and put a clear gap on the rest of a high-class field.
The son of Sea The Stars now begins a new campaign, and this will be an important first step. He has the class to win this, but there are a few small queries. He was at his strongest late in the Arc over 2400 metres, so the drop back in distance to 2100 metres may not be ideal, particularly if the race is slowly run. He is also resuming, and connections are likely to have bigger targets later in the season.
That said, Daryz is a genuine Group 1 horse and the one they all have to measure up against. If he is anywhere near forward enough, he can make a winning return and confirm himself as one of the major names to follow through the European season.
Aventure also brings strong Group 1 form into the race. Her Arc run behind Daryz was not her best, but she is better than that and has shown enough quality at the top level to be highly competitive here. Like Daryz, she is first-up and may be better over further, but she has the class to be involved if she is ready to go.
Arrow Eagle is another runner with Group 1 form next to his name after his win in the Prix Royal-Oak last season. He is tough, genuine and proven at the level, but this distance looks short of his best. He may find this a little sharp on his return, although he still adds real depth to the race.
The race-fit runners could be the key to the contest, especially the Andre Fabre-trained trio of Bright Picture, Cualificar and First Look. All three come through the Prix d’Harcourt, where Bright Picture was able to win, Cualificar finished close up in third and First Look was not far away.
Bright Picture has to be respected off that last-start Group 2 win. He is fit, in form and represents one of the great European stables. First Look also has claims, particularly if he can improve from his return run, but Cualificar may be the most interesting of the Fabre runners.
Cualificar was beaten only narrowly in the Prix d’Harcourt and should take improvement from that run. His effort in the Arc at the end of last season can be forgiven, as he may simply have been at the end of his preparation. Back to 2100 metres with race fitness on his side, he looks well placed to run a big race.
The Prix Ganay looks a fascinating clash between proven Group 1 stars returning from a break and race-fit horses ready to take advantage if the big names are not fully wound up. Daryz is clearly the horse with the most upside and the strongest piece of form, but this is not a soft return.
He deserves to be favourite, but Cualificar looks the runner capable of making things interesting. If Daryz is forward enough, he can win and start his season in the perfect fashion. If he is just short of peak fitness, Cualificar may be the one ready to capitalise.
By Scott Bailey
