Marie-Francoise’s Sunday Selections for 13th July 2025
Marie-Francoise’s Sunday Selections from ParisLongchamp & Navan
ParisLongchamp
Prix Radio FG – Prix Maurice de Nieuil (Group 2) 6.10
Double Major
Oui, this is a good contest for Double Major to be winning, and I think that it can be Sibayan that will make him race. The last run, Double Major was fifth in the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier, and that Group One means to me that this is a lesser plate, the Prix Maurice de Nieuil, as a Group 2. And, Double Major had Internaute behind him then, so it can be Francis-Henri Graffard’s Sibayan that will be closest to my selection. I will have the feeling that these are my three, but Double Major it is, for me.
Cygames Prix de Malleret (Group 2) (Fillies) 6.50
Sunly
Ooh lala! It is impossible, n’est-ce pas, to not be betting on Sunly to win this. She is the most exciting three year old filly in training this season, for these middle distance races, and I will be on her to win this with all of my heart. Of course, it has been the brilliant Christophe Soumillon who has made her three from three, but as a Juddmonte filly, it is of course Colin Keane who will be with her on Sunday evening. Maybe Ed Walker’s Qilin Queen will be the one to try and take the race from Sunly D’accord, but she has the extra gear and will be winning this, and then we will see her in the Yorkshire Oaks next.
Cygames Grand Prix de Paris (Group 1) (No Geldings) 7.25
Trinity College (nap)
It is the feature, the Grand Prix de Paris and I think maybe this can go to Ireland with Trinity College. He was very, very good in the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly last month, and then too good for them all in the Hampton Court Stakes at the Royal Ascot, and this should be a good race between Aidan O’Brien’s Dubawi colt and Henri-Francois Devin’s New Ground, who has to be known to all of the English horseracing fans after coming fourth in the Epsom Derby. Christophe Ferland’s Uther and Francis-Henri Graffard’s Surabad can make the places, but for me, it will be Trinity College that will win.
Navan
Ardboyne Hotel Maiden 1.05
Zuheila
I will be taking the chance on Zuheila for this Maiden race, and hope that Johhny Murtagh has her ready to race the first time up, I think you say non? Of course, the experience on the racetrack must count, so both Washington Street for Ger Lyons and Sun Soldier for Andrew Oliver are on my list. Zuheila is a Blue Point filly that is a half-sister to Zarzyni, who was tres rapide over 5 furlongs, and so I find plenty in the breeding to give me confidence in her. If she gets her racing head right the first time, I think she is fascinating and I will back her to beat Washington Street and Sun Soldier.
Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race 2.50
Nautical Force (nb)
It is just the four runners non, so I will expect the race of tactics for this 10 furlong trip. Of course, now that the Ghaiyyath progeny are coming to the racetrack, we must remember his brilliant 2020 season, where the only horse to beat him home was Magical in his very final race, so I am always noting these over this trip, and that is Nautical Force’s sire. Ghaiyyath won the Juddmonte International at York in that 2020 season, and that race was later rated the best global horserace of 2020, so I like this pedigree. Donnacha O’Brien’s Professor Longhair has to be the closest rival, but Nautical Force, it is for me.
