Doyle: Maltese Cross to bring home Arc glory for Marquand and Haggas

Speaking to Simon Mapletoft, Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle looks forward to a thrilling weekend of action, headlined by Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe; Watch Europe's richest race - live on Sky Sports Racing - at 3.05pm

Before heading to Paris to cheer on Maltese Cross, Hollie Doyle penned her latest exclusive blog ahead of Arc weekend.

I'm on the Maltese Cross team for obvious reasons in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (3.05) at ParisLongchamp on Sunday, live on Sky Sports Racing . He gives my husband Tom [Marquand], his trainer William Haggas and owner George Waud an outstanding chance of winning this great race.

He got roughed up a little in both those races but has a great mind for a three-year-old which will stand him in good stead again in the hurly burly of the Arc, particularly from his wide draw in stall 11.

Last year's winner Daryz will of course be a tough opponent with the draw in his favour and looks to have been produced to the minute by his master trainer Francis-Henri Graffard, but Maltese Cross, whose only defeat came on softer ground in the Derby, will be a huge threat to all.

I'd love to see his British compatriot Kalpana make her presence felt, too. After all, Andrew Balding's wonderful mare has proven she can compete against the boys at the top table by winning the King George and was impressive in the Yorkshire Oaks after that.

Green Empress is entitled to take the beating in a slightly disappointing renewal of the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac Criterium des Pouliches (12.31) on Sunday.

Joseph O'Brien's filly found only the prolific Sun Goddess too strong in the Moyglare Stakes on her latest start but any chinks in her armour could be exploited by Godolphin's interesting runner Miss Miniver .

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Though Green Empress's market rival Allela could be anything at this stage, Roger Varian is backing the daughter of Wootton Bassett up quickly after her fourth in the Group 2 Rockfel at Newmarket so this could be a great opportunity to bag a fairly weak Group 1.

Joseph O'Brien's excellent season can continue with the progressive Folsom Blues in the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere Longines (1.09) on Sunday.

The son of Blue Point lost nothing in defeat behind last weekend's Cheveley Park heroine Sun Goddess in the Pheonix Stakes at the Curragh before returning to take the Group 1 National Stakes in most emphatic style.

He hasn't been blessed with the best draw but has the class to overcome that while James Doyle's mount Imperial Strike looks way overpriced in his quest to reverse Group 3 form with the unbeaten Avec Toi.

It would be a great result for racing if Naana's Shadow could win the Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp Longines (1.47) on Sunday for Galashiels trainer Katie Scott.

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Katie, who trains only a small string, has worked wonders with this grey filly who won the Group 3 trial for this race over course and distance last month so deserves to be favourite.

However, her starting position in stall 13 isn't great on such a draw-dependent track so I'm expecting Francis-Henri Graffard's SHIRI to reverse that form while keeping a close eye on Harry Eustace's Time For Sandals, who has the talent to go close if she can get back to her best form.

Aventure will be a short price to supplement her Group 1 success in the Prix Romanet when she reappears in the Prix de l'Opera Longines (3.50) on Sunday. Christophe Ferland's mare beat a below-best Diamond Necklace that day so I'm not sure how strong that form was, however.

I prefer Aidan O'Brien's filly Precise , who hasn't managed to get her head in front since winning the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot but had run well in top company before her underwhelming display in the Matron last time.

She's much better than she showed on Irish Champions' weekend so looks a strong alternative to the likely favourite with the ever-consistent Pink Panthera seemingly booked for another placing.

Fozzy Stack can strike a blow for Ireland in the Qatar Prix de la Foret (4.25) on Sunday with Thesecretadversary , who should be able to roll into a nice rhythm on a track that will play to his strengths.

Stepping back in trip looks ideal for the Jersey Stakes winner who is a value alternative to favourite Samangan, who only got the verdict in a bunch finish at Deauville last time so probably needs to find more.

Aidan O'Brien's True Love was only fifth in that race and didn't look herself in the Matron last month but is another who will appreciate dropping back in distance and can go well, too.

William Haggas, who runs the strongly fancied Maltese Cross in the Arc in Paris on Sunday, holds the key to the two feature races at Ascot on Saturday, including the Group 3 Bet MGM Cumberland Lodge Stakes (2.25), live on Sky Sports Racing..

Gallant veteran Al Aasy is definitely the class horse in the race and is definitely the one they all have to beat in this Group 3. He's already won at a higher level this year and will get on well with Danny Tudhope.

Stablemate Tenability is ultra-tough as he showed when winning the Listed August Stakes at Windsor and looks fairly progressive but will need to step forward to put Al Aasy in his place.

Division only just failed to nail the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville last time - form that sets a demanding standard in the John Guest Racing Bengough Stakes (3.00).

William Haggas's Wathnan Racing colt can compromise his chance with a slow start but if the race is run to suit him this represents a great opportunity to get a Group 3 success on his CV.

Any flaws could be exposed by Godolphin's Hidden Force, who has undergone wind surgery since finishing a beaten favourite in the Craven back in the spring but could be anything, while Marco Botti's Prince Of India must go well after his win in Listed company at Newmarket.

Hollie Doyle was speaking to Sky Sports Racing's Simon Mapletoft.

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