A field of 16 will go to post for Sunday's Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp and Maltese Cross is expected to be suited by conditions.
Maltese Cross is second favourite for William Haggas following his wins in the Grand Prix de Paris and Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes.
Speaking on Thursday, Haggas explained how difficult, or otherwise, the decision was to aim his star colt at the Arc rather than step up to the St Leger distance at Doncaster last month.
"I think, in the end, it was fairly straightforward," the trainer said on Sky Sports Racing. "I always believed he needed time between his races, so we chose to give him the time.
"I think he's one of those that doesn't impress very much on the track. He doesn't impress very much at home, either, but he keeps winning, apart from in the Derby he's got an unblemished record this year. And he never wins by far but all the horses he beats don't look top, top, top horses so I guess people are picking holes in him, but for me, he he keeps finding the line at the right time."
Haggas has no concerns over the prevailing ground in Paris and wouldn't want it testing in an ideal world.
"There's nothing we can do about the weather, or the draw," he said. "I think it'll be good, fast ground which suits us well, if we would have had a choice, we'd have gone for that. Tom (Marquand, jockey) says he gets a better feel from him on faster ground, so it looks like it's come in our favour."
There were no defectors at the final declaration stage on Thursday morning, meaning Daryz goes to post a warm favourite to repeat his 2025 success in the race ahead of the draw being announced at 21:30 BST tonight.
He is one of two runners for trainer Francis-Henri Graffard who also saddles Varandir.
Aidan O'Brien runs three with Diamond Necklace, Minnie Hauk and Benvenuto Cellini all lining up alongside his son Joseph's Betfred Oaks heroine Thundering On.
King George heroine Kalpana is another big British player for Andrew Balding and Juddmonte, while Oisin Murphy rides Betfred Coronation Cup winner Bay City Roller for George Scott, with James Doyle aboard John and Thady Gosden's Friendly Soul who received a free supplementary entry into the race after winning the Prix Vermeille.
There are two Japanese-trained challengers, namely Meisho Tabaru and Admire Terra, who are both outsiders.
Latest Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe betting:
Paddy Power & Sky Bet: 7/4 Daryz, 4 Maltese Cross, 7 Diamond Necklace, Kalpana, 9 Thundering On, 10 Varandir, 16 Bay City Roller, 20 Benvenuto Cellini, Friendly Soul, Minnie Hauk, 33 Meisho Tabaru, Saddadd, 40 Admire Terra, 66 Arrow Eagle, 100 Bright Light, 150 Chestnut Rocket
More on the 2026 Arc de Triomphe
- David Ord on Kalpana and the Juddmonte ties
- Ben Linfoot tackles the big Longchamp questions
- John Ingles backing title holder to double up
- Matt Brocklebank on the Longchamp undercard
- Simon Holt on why Maltese Cross is such an important runner
- Ian Ogg on the case for outsider Saddadd
- Nick Doggett recalls Fallon scoring on Hurricane Run
- For or against hot favourite Daryz?
- Who is the best bet in this year’s race?
- Graffard: Daryz the best horse I’ve trained
- Haggas happy with ground as Cross primed
- Aidan O’Brien on Ballydoyle trio
- Tom Marquand feeling positive
- Colin Keane expects star mare to shine
- Arc de Triomphe preview podcast
- Arc odds from Sky Bet and Paddy Power
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