It is Arc weekend in France and Racing Post Tipster Jonny Pearson is on hand to run you through his NAP and next best selection for day two on Sunday, including a pick in the feature.
It is a high-quality card at Longchamp for one of the biggest meetings of the year, anywhere in the world, with six Group 1 races on the card of which the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is the feature. Daryz is looking to achieve back-to-back successes in the race and is well fancied to do so.
Jonny Pearson’s NAP of the day for Sunday 4th October at Longchamp
13:09 Longchamp - Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere
Folsom Blues - 7/4
Rider | Mickael Barzalona |
Trainer | Joseph O’Brien |
Owner | Al Shira’aa Racing Limited |
Age | 2 |
Overall Form | 31221 |
Stats
- Folsom Blues won a Group 1 over 7f on his last start
- Joseph O’Brien had a winner at the meeting last year
- Mickael Barzalona has ridden the winner of the race in three of the last 10 renewals
Our NAP is the two-year-old Folsom Blues. He has progressed with every run on the track, and although only winning two of his five starts, he was better than ever last time when victorious the National Stakes at the Curragh by six lengths. This performance rates higher than any other rival in the field has achieved to date.
Returning to 7f last time saw him at his best, and over the same trip at Longchamp, provided he turns up in the same form, Folsom Blues will take all the beating.
Ryan Moore looks to be on the pick of the Ballydoyle horses, but it is perhaps Avec Toi who is the biggest danger, having won all four of his races. He was below his best last time however, and will need to improve to be winning, with Folsom Blues looking comfortably better than the rest.
Joseph O’Brien is having a hugely successful year which includes Classic wins and many other notable successes, and it would be no surprise to see him add to that on Sunday.
What is a NAP in Horse Racing?
Next Best Bet
15:05 Longchamp - Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
Daryz - 6/4
Rider | Mickael Barzalona |
Trainer | F-H Graffard |
Owner | Aga Khan Studs SCEA |
Age | 4 |
Overall Form | 1-1131 |
Stats
- Daryz won the race in 2025
- Daryz is 7-8 at Longchamp
- Mickael Barzalona has ridden him in all 11 of his races
Our Next best bet is in the feature race, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, and it is favourite and last year's winner of the race, Daryz, who has our vote of confidence.
He has won three of his four races this year, with his only defeat coming at Ascot, and a line can be put through that result as his other previous underwhelming performance also came in the UK.
He had an 81-day break following that Ascot third and returned with a bang, winning the Prix Foy in early September. This was a better prep than 12 months ago, and the ease with which he won suggests he is peaking perfectly for the big race.
Having won last year, connections know exactly what is required to win, and with him being drawn well in stall five, Daryz is without doubt the one they all have to beat.
It is a good race and cases can be made for others, such as Kalpana and Minnie Hauk, but they would need to improve if they are to finish ahead of Daryz, who can become the first horse since Enable in 2017 and 2018 to win successive renewals.
Tipster's Recent Winners
Jonny Pearson is a handicapper for the Racing Post and recently tipped 15/2 winner Krasimir on Irish Champions weekend.
Read more horse racing betting tips and predictions on site.
Horse Racing Betting Guides
What is an Each Way bet in Horse Racing?
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
