Paris Longchamp Tips for Sunday and Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe Best Bets

Vive La France! Here we go, it's Arc Day at Paris Longchamp as Europe's biggest Flat race rolls into town. This year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe looks like an epic dust-up on paper, and horse racing analyst Ed Quigley is here to share his Paris Longchamp tips.

Defending champion Daryz is looking to make history and become the first colt since Alleged in 1978 to win the flagship event of the European flat racing calendar back-to-back. He has a lot on his plate, but is well drawn, and connections will be very confident he can win this race again. His record in France is superb and ticks a lot of the boxes. If you were being fussy, he could ideally do with the ground being a bit slower than it is, as his very best form (including when winning this) has come on very soft ground.

You can check out the odds at top horse racing betting sites before placing your bets.

Ed Quigley's Paris Longchamp Tips for Sunday, 4 October

• 12.40 – Spirit Tango
• 1.15 – Folsom Blues NB
• 1.50 – Naana's Shadow
• 3.05 – Thundering On NAP
• 3.50 – Aventure
• 4.25 – Samangan

*All odds via bet365 Sportsbook.

Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe Best Bets

There are plenty of other individuals here with big chances, but my Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe best bets start with the Joseph O'Brien-trained THUNDERING ON, a devastating winner of the Epsom Oaks. If she arrives in that vein of form, she looks capable of running a massive race. She sauntered to victory on rain-softened ground in the Classic back at the start of June, and won in cosy fashion over 10f at the Curragh last time out, showing her class in the closing stages. Her only flop was over 10f on rattling quick ground in the Pretty Polly Stakes where she looked totally outpaced and never at ease on such a lively surface. Obviously, conditions won't be as quick here, despite the ground potentially being the fastest it's been in many years. The return to 12f should suit; she has a handy draw, and the Joseph O'Brien team are having a sensational 2026. Pierre-Charles Boudot comes in to take the ride on the filly in the absence of usual pilot Dylan Browne McMonagle, who misses the big race through injury. With the 3-year-old and filly allowances, she must have a belting chance here and looks a rock-solid each-way option.

Of the remainder, it's hard to ignore the claims of Maltese Cross for the William Haggas team, who has only one defeat to his name this season, when he was runner-up in the Epsom Derby. Other than that, he has become a win machine, teak-tough and a strong stayer at the distance. The question marks about Tom Marquand's mount would be whether he could have had a slightly better draw in stall 11, and whether he has the tactical speed for this type of race if it becomes a stop-start encounter. If he can get towards the head of affairs and use his stamina, he will naturally be a player here.

The joker in the pack could be Varandir, still somewhat of an unknown quantity who is improving rapidly. This colt is on a firm upward trajectory and has only had five career starts, winning the Prix Niel last time out in straightforward fashion. His only defeat so far came when he was beaten in a messy race in the Grand Prix de Paris behind Maltese Cross on his penultimate start. He looked good since, and connections roll the dice with this thoroughly unexposed sort who dives back into Group 1 company here to take on Europe's elite. With the 3-year-old allowance, don't rule out a big run from the 'other' Francois-Henri Graffard representative.

Ed Quigley's 1-2-3 Trifecta for the Arc

• 1 – Thundering On
• 2 – Varandir
• 3 – Daryz

Ed Quigley's Next Best Bet for Longchamp on Sunday: Folsom Blues at 1.15

Folsom Blues produced a devastating display when winning the Group 1 Vincent O'Brien National Stakes in an absolute rout when last seen. The Joseph O'Brien-trained colt looked very happy returning to 7f at the Curragh, hitting the turbo in the closing stages to run away with the contest by six lengths. The collateral form of that race is working out well, with Trean going on to win the Goffs Million, and Haffner landing the Royal Lodge Stakes. Folsom Blues looks to have the speed and stamina needed for this niche trip, and he should come here with his tail wagging.

As always, this looks like a highly competitive race, with a case to be made for quite a few runners, and you will need to get the splits on the day. Folsom Blues looks versatile in terms of underfoot requirements and seems to have a terrific turn of foot over this distance, so a bold show is expected from the Irish raider.