Leading French trainer Francis Graffard has been reflecting on Sunday's top-class action from Longchamp and has suggested he could run three big players in the Arc de Triomphe.
Reigning champion Daryz spearheads the team and is a general 9/4 favourite on the back of his win in the Prix Foy, but Varandir also staked his claim by winning the Prix Niel and the three-year-old Sunly went into many notebooks with her fast-finishing third in the Prix Vermeille.
All three could line up for the trainer on Sunday October 4 and he is confident Daryz is only getting fitter and stronger in the lead-up to his principal objective.
Speaking on Monday's Nick Luck Daily Podcast, Graffard said: "Everything went perfectly and the behaviour of the horse (Daryz) was wonderful.
"We have a lot of confidence in the horse, as I've said before I was very upset with his run in Ascot (well beaten in Prince Of Wales's Stakes in June).
"I'm upset people didn't see the right Daryz, it's always a shame. It was very frustrating, but that's training racehorses.
"We gave him a very good racecourse gallop and yesterday, I think it was lucky that George Scott's horse (runner-up Bay City Roller) started to pick up going down the hill which really suited my horse.
"I won't be quiet on him until the Arc now, he will stay in full work and really sharpen him up for the big day.
"Obviously, Varandir won a trial very nicely. He's an improving type; he's a three-year-old colt who have an advantage with the weight in the Arc.
"So he can be lined up, he has the right to take his chance."
What a performance! 🤯
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) September 6, 2026
Friendly Soul puts up a remarkable display in the Qatar Prix Vermeille! 🏆🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/H7I2ob17rP
The Night Of Thunder filly Sunly is owned by Juddmonte and is expected to remain at 12 furlongs for next month's Arc despite also holding an entry in the Prix de l'Opera.
"I have to speak with the Juddmonte team but Sunly is a very nice filly," said Graffard. "And I think she has the quality to take her chance in the Arc.
"She stumbled and went down on her knees. Then Colin (Keane) said in the first few strides he didn't feel she was right and he was a bit scared, so she was really left behind. And then she came in the straight but got completely blocked out.
"Then she flew home too late. To be fair, I was very confident with this filly and I think everything went against her but she's a very top-class filly.
"In the Arc, it's not bad to have several contenders if you want to win it."
Sunly can be backed at 20/1 to win the Arc de Triomphe, with Varandir on offer at 16s.
