Caroline’s & Marie-Francoise’s Sunday Selections for 29th March 2026
Caroline’s Sunday Selections from Downpatrick & Marie-Francoise’s Saint-Cloud Selections
Downpatrick
Tote Every Day’s A Money Back Day Maiden Hurdle 2.07
He Can’t Dance
I will take my chance on He Can’t Dance for this Maiden Hurdle. He was in a Listed race the last day, and although couldn’t stay with the first two, was the best of the rest over that 3 mile trip. Now getting Josh Williamson’s 5lb claim should be a big help, and having placed in all five starts over the sticks since October, does look overdue to me to get off the mark. Jack Kennedy is on stablemate Gunnery Sergeant, so has to be on my list too, but I’m thinking this should be a good opportunity for He Can’t Dance to get over the line.
Billie And Bertie Fitzgerald Memorial Handicap Hurdle 3.17
Dairy Force
I’m thinking that with some better ground it will be Dairy Force that can land this Handicap Hurdle. He’s moved on from Liam O’Brien’s yard to Gordon Elliott, so I would hope that this can bring out some improvement, and I’m of the opinion that the soft to heavy ground he has been running on has not shown Dairy Force in his best light. Eoin Griffin’s Splashing Out hasn’t really delivered over fences, so returns to timber, and PJ Rothwell’s Coolboy Christy must be in with a shout. Dairy Force, under Jack Kennedy should be the one to follow, so gets my vote.
Randox Ulster National Handicap Chase 4.27
Uncle Pat
Willie Mullins’ Uncle Pat ran a cracker in the Grand National Trial at Punchestown when going up in trip, so I’ll take my chance on a repeat of that. The 3 mile 3 on heavy ground surely tested Uncle Pat’s stamina, so back on drying ground I think he can run a big race, and up just 2lbs for his second the last day I think is a manageable rise. I would expect Shannon Royale to be raced prominently under Darragh O’Keefe, though he does need to bounce back from an underwhelming run at Punchestown last month, while last year’s winning yard sends out St Denis’s Well with Jack Kennedy for company. These three I would expect to be there or thereabouts, with my preference for Uncle Pat.
Caherty Stables Beginners Chase 5.00
Strutter
I’m going to draw a line through Strutter’s run the last day, where front running or the extended trip seemed all a bit too much and give him another chance here. Paul Townend takes up the reins now, and having come over to Closutton from Nicky Henderson’s Seven Barrows yard, I would be hoping for some improvement now sent over fences. The drop in trip, and a second stab at fencing should bring him on, and this doesn’t look the strongest line up, with chasing debutante Dee’s Lady and Gordon Elliott’s Find A Fortune likely to be involved. Yes, Strutter can come on for that first try over fences, and do better brought back in trip and on better ground.
Saint-Cloud
Prix Edmond Blanc (Group 3) 3.25
Silius (nap)
I think it must be Silius that will be the one to win this Prix Edmond Blanc. Oui, he is already with the two wins this year, and won the Prix Altipan here very very well, so must be with the advantage over those that have not been seen yet this season. But, there are some very good horses here, with the filly Moon Cloud having the best form at Saint-Cloud, and Ed Dunlop’s Skukuza is a very good Blue Point colt who was third in the Prix Wildenstein at ParisLongchamp. Then Karl Burke does do well over here in France, so Native Warrior must also be on my list. D’accord, I will stick with the form of Silius to take this Prix Edmond Blanc, with Skukuza maybe the danger.
Prix Right Royal (Listed) 4.00
Asmarani (nb)
Oui, I think I will take the chance on Asmarani for this Prix Right Royal. Francis-Henri Graffard’s Sotsass gelding beat Double Major by the neck on the all-weather at Chantilly three weeks ago, so I will know he is here race fit, and with his sire the winner of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe must have plenty of stamina for this trip. Double Major has run in some very good races, including a win in the Prix Gladiateur last September, so I can have him on my list, and Andre Fabre’s Hotheaded will also be there non? Maintenant, I will think one of Francis-Henri Graffard’s pair of Asmarani or Parachutiste can win, with Asmarani my first choice.
