Matt Brocklebank provides a horse-by-horse guide to the Group 1 Cygames Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp and we have weight-adjusted Timeform ratings too.
19:15 Longchamp - Cygames Grand Prix de Paris (Group 1)
VARANDIR (Francis-Henri Graffard) - Timeform weight-adjusted rating 122p
Unbeaten Zarak colt who didn’t race at all as a juvenile but has made great strides since his winning debut on April 5. Was given an Arc de Triomphe entry in light of his Group 3 win over a similar trip here when last seen in May and, having been well in control late on that day, he could have any amount of improvement still in the locker being from an excellent family and evidently in great hands with Francis Graffard.
111
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 24, 2026
Varandir - who has an Arc entry - gets going just in time to remain unbeaten in the G3 Prix Hocquart!@GraffardRacing @AgaKhanStuds pic.twitter.com/k3ArExNpxf
ALAM (Mikel Delzangles) - Timeform: 126
No fluke to his getting off the mark in the Group 3 Prix Greffulhe at Saint-Cloud in May but possibly had his limitations exposed when upped to top level in the Prix du Jockey Club, finishing three-length fifth behind Constitution River. Had the widest draw that day, though, and hopes pinned to the step up in trip eking out more improvement as he debuts at Longchamp on this occasion.
ANCIENT EGYPT (Charlie Johnston) - Timeform 125
Sparked Derby dreams with a two-length Listed win at Newmarket on his seasonal debut and he wasn’t totally disgraced at Epsom in spite of the bad ground which didn’t appear to suit. Quick turnaround before game effort in defeat Royal Ascot last month, pushing the reopposing Causeway to within a neck, and he should still have more to offer over this trip.
SPACE WALTZ (Andre & Lavinia Fabre) - Timeform 118
Failed to add to debut success last September in three subsequent starts but back in the groove when landing last month’s Prix du Lys (G3) at Chantilly, the step up to 12 furlongs clearly beneficial. Looks a strong stayer and might be a shade vulnerable to something with a sharper turn of foot but it’s hard to state where his ceiling may lie at this point.
CAUSEWAY (Aidan O’Brien) - Timeform 125p
Won five times in a row since introductory fourth behind subsequent Derby winner Christmas Day at Gowran last autumn and admirable the way he just seems to do enough to get the job done. Doesn’t have much in hand over Ancient Egypt on a strict reading of their Royal Ascot form but the mile and a half clearly isn’t an issue and he has every right to take his chance at Group 1 level for the first time.
LIMESTONE (Joseph O’Brien) - Timeform 117
Trainer can do precious little wrong at present and this son of New Bay is another from the yard on a steep upward curve. Backed up Listed win when nosing out Del Maro to land the Queen’s Vase at the Royal meeting and the fourth home (Point Of Law) reversed form with the runner-up in last week’s Bahrain Trophy. Might not be ideally suited to the way this could be run as he drops a couple of furlongs in distance and step up the ladder again in class.
MALTESE CROSS (William Haggas) - Timeform 129p
No doubting this one’s credentials for Group 1 honours as he’s made significant strides with every outing and ran a bold race in defeat when second to Christmas Day in the Betfred Derby at Epsom. Trainer is adamant he’s a strong stayer who might be geared towards the St Leger later in the year so he’ll have to be on his mettle in against some exciting rivals with good 10-furlong form in the book.
Verdict
Sky Bet odds | Paddy Power | Betfair Sportsbook | Free bets
Maltese Cross is the obvious starting point here on the form of his Derby second to Christmas Day. That looks a level above Causeway and Ancient Egypt fighting out the King Edward VII, while Queen’s Vase winner Limestone is potentially going to find this too much of a speed test.
The way the race is expected to be run, it could play more into the hands of Francis Graffard’s progressive and unbeaten colt VARANDIR. He came with a smart late burst to ultimately win with something to spare in the Prix Hocquart last time and that track knowledge (also won his maiden at Longchamp first time out in the spring) should stand for plenty.
Published at 13:20 BST on 13/07/26
More from Sporting Life
- Free bets
- Racecards
- Fast results
- Full results and free video replays
- Horse racing news
- Horse racing tips
- Horse racing features
- Download our free iOS and Android app
- Football and other sports tips
- Podcasts and video content
Safer gambling
We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.al
If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.
Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.
