Marie-Francoise’s Sunday Selections for 6th September 2026
Marie-Francoise’s Sunday Selections from ParisLongchamp
Qatar Prix la Rochette (Group 3) 12.58
Avec Toi
Oui, I cannot see that any of these can beat Avec Toi for this Prix la Rochette. Christopher Head’s No Nay Never colt was so very very good in the Prix Francis Boutin at Deauville non? so now he can make this four from the four contests this season. D’accord, Andre Fabre’s Imperial Strike is also unbeaten after two races, but it was Pierre-Charles Boudot that was on him in his last race, so now he is with Avec Toi he must know what it is he has to beat. It must be very short the price for Avec Toi, but he must be winning this for Christopher Head.
Qatar Prix d’Aumale (Group 2) (Fillies) 1.33
Data
I think that Christopher Head must be having a very good start to this meeting at ParisLongchamp, as Data will be the big favourite for the Prix d’Aumale. But maybe this is not so easy non? as the Prix la Rochette, as Francis-Henri Graffard has a very very good filly with Amusingly, who was so dominant in the Prix des Belles Demoiselles she must be on my list. Then it was Andre Fabre’s Kalimaat that was also successful in the Prix de Falaise when I was at Deauville the last month, and now it is the same situation as the Prix la Rochette, where Pierre-Charles Boudot will know of Kalimaat from her last run as he is on the favourite Data. Maintenant, I believe Data will have the experience to beat the exciting Amusingly, who you must follow for the future.
Qatar Prix Vermeille (Group 1) (Fillies & Mares) 2.50
Sunly (nap)
It is a very important race this Prix Vermeille, and maybe the winner of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe can be seen here like 2024 non? Of course, that was the win of Bluestocking for the trainer from Angleterre, Ralph Beckett, and as fillies have such a very good record in this big contest, the Prix Vermeille must be watched, as Enable, Alpinista & Bluestocking all were winners in these last few seasons. Sea Of Class was perhaps the most unlucky not to win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe non? after missing the break from the stalls and losing to Enable by just the short head. D’accord, but it must be Sunly that is with that course form and the soft ground to make her a very very big favourite for this, with the Irish filly Spartan Nua and George Boughey’s Survie maybe the ones to watch. Sunly I believe will win this Arc trial, but Survie has the form on this course from her win in the Prix Malleret in 2024, so can be the one to make the race.
Qatar Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (Group 1) 3.22
Gstaad (nb)
Oohlala, I very much like Gstaad, this colt of Aidan O’Brien, and without the brilliant Bow Echo I believe he would have this season a record immaculate non? Oui, he is a very good colt Gstaad, and now for the Prix du Moulin Longchamp, I think that he can be better than Opera Ballo, maybe because of this soft ground, and also Francis-Henri Graffard’s Erdenali has a bit to find – from his locker I think you say. Christopher Head’s Nighttime must be on your list, but over this 1600 metre trip, maybe this is a stretch for him? Oui, it has to be Gstaad for the Prix du Moulin, with Opera Ballo the one to be in the race and Nighttime also to be there.
Qatar Prix Niel (Group 2) 4.00
Varandir
Oh yes, this Prix Niel is a race that must be between just the three, and they are Benvenuto Cellini, Alam and Varandir. D’accord, let me tell you of them in order. Benvenuto Cellini won the Irish Derby, after the big mix-up at Epsom, but cannot have stayed with Kalpana or Calandagan in the Group One at Ascot the next time. But, Benvenuto Cellini must like this soft ground, so is the big danger. D’accord, but Francis-Henri Graffard’s Varandi has all of the course form here at ParisLongchamp, when very very close to winning the Grand Prix de Paris here in July, so must be on your list. Alam just was ahead of Varandir in that race, so it must be again such a close contest. Maintenant, I will be on Varandir for this Prix Niel.
Qatar Prix Foy (Group 2) 4.35
Daryz
It maybe be the surprise that Daryz will be in the Prix Foy here on Sunday, but Francis-Henri Graffard has assured of his fitness and potential. D’accord, then the winner of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe last year must be in this contest to make the preparation for the second win in this very important race non? Plus, it is to me easy to look past the last run in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, where this colt was not himself and was disturbed in the Stalls according to his trainer. Non, we did not see the brilliant Daryz at his best then, so c’est possible this drop to this Group 2 Prix Foy is the very smart move by Francis-Henri Graffard. But, George Scott’s Bay City Roller will very much like this soft ground, so it must be a good contest between these two.
