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The 1m2½f Prix Ganay at Paris-Longchamp is the first European Group 1 race of the season and has produced future French champions over the past decade, including subsequent Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winners Waldgeist and Sottsass.

This year, French hopes lay with Vadeni, winner of the 2022 Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club and Group 1 Eclipse Stakes at Sandown. The son of Churchill ended his season with an excellent second behind Alpinista in the Group 1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, where it seemed that 1m4f might be pushing the colt to the limit of his stamina. He returns to 1m2½f for this seasonal reappearance (1-1 over this trip) and, despite losing the retained rider status with the Aga Khan, Christophe Soumillon will remain onboard. Speaking to French broadcaster Equidia, Soumillon said "I have the chance to ride the two residents [Vadeni and Erevann] of the Aga Khan stable. I have been able to experience incredible moments with these horses last year. The objective with Vadeni is to win two or three races abroad before the main objective: the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. He has worked well and will arrive in good shape for the Prix Ganay this Sunday."

Vadeni faces strong opposition in the form of UK-trained Bay Bridge. Originally intended for a clash with Adayar at Sandown on 28th of May, Bay Bridge was re-routed to Paris-Longchamp in search of better ground. The Sir Michael Stoute-trained horse has made a meteoric rise to Group 1 level, having been running in handicaps during 2021. He struggled when fifth behind Vadeni at Sandown Park in the Group 1 Eclipse Stakes but showed his best form to win the Group 1 10f British Champion Stakes at Ascot in October.

The André Fabre-trained Junko was cleverly campaigned in 2022 to avoid the Classics and secured some valuable prizes with a victory in the course and distance Group 3 Prix Noailles and placings in the Group 2 Prix Dollar and Prix Guillaume d'Ornano. He produced a credible performance when sixth behind Lord North in the Group 1 Dubai Turf at Meydan at the end of March on his last start and could easily sneak into the frame.

Saeed Bin Suroor will be hoping a return to Europe revitalises Real World after two disappointing runs in Meydan. Last year he chased home Baaeed in both the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury and Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot prior to a gelding operation in August. If the trainer delivers the six-year-old to something near his best, Real World will warrant consideration as a previous winner of the 1m Prix Daniel Wildenstein at this track in October 2021, the last time the trainer brought a horse to Longchamp. On the Godolphin website Bin Suroor stated "Real World has done well since his two runs in Dubai this year. He travelled back to Newmarket in good form, and I have been pleased with his preparation. He should be fine over the extended 10 furlongs as he won a Newbury Listed race over a similar trip.

We are using this race as a stepping-stone for the Lockinge Stakes, and it looks a tough contest, with some very strong opposition."

Both Simca Mille and Irésine are locals that must be considered following their respective first and second in the 1m2f Group 2 Prix d'Harcourt at this course three weeks ago.