Caroline’s & Marie-Francoise’s Sunday Selections for 10th May 2026
Caroline’s Sunday Selections from Leopardstown & Marie-Francoise’s ParisLongchamp Picks
Leopardstown
Al Shira’aa Racing “Mutamakina” Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies & Mares) 2.30
City Of Memphis
Well, I’ll be telling yuzz that Paddy Twomey’s City Of Memphis will be winning this, if reproducing her win at Gowran Park the last day. This Sioux Nation filly made Joseph O’Brien’s Cowardofthecounty look a bit ordinary, which she isn’t, and on better ground here at Leopardstown may have more improvement in her yet. But it could be Joseph O’Brien’s Princess Child who has the most to offer, and does have an advantageous draw in Stall 2, though early pace is sure to be a bigger factor here than the draw. Fifth in the Irish 1,000 Guineas last year, she’s got a strong claim to be winning this Group 3, with Princess Child to chase her home and California Dreamer my each-way gamble.
Porsche In Suipport Of Breast Cancer Ireland Amethyst Stakes (Listed) 3.05
Alcantor
Alcantor has made the move over from Andre Fabre in France to Joseph O’Brien, and this looks an easy enough introduction to Irish soil from my viewpoint. For all that, this New Bay colt is used to plenty more cut in the ground, so has to prove he’s able to produce his best on this quicker surface, but on ratings Alcantor is streets ahead of this field so should prevail. Of course, there are some bigger dates in the diary, namely the Tattersalls Gold Cup and the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, so Dylan Browne McMonagle won’t be knocking the spots off him if the ground is too quick. Jack Channon’s Excellent Believe must be on your shortlist, and Ger Lyons’ Mutasarref is back on his preferred good ground, so these are my three, with Alcantor getting my vote.
Cashel Palace Hotel Derby Trial Stakes (Group 3) 3.40
Pierre Bonnard (nb)
Well, it’s always a question of whether the top two year olds have trained on, and this is very much the case with Pierre Bonnard. He was outstanding in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud back in October last, and maybe just needed the run when seventh of nine in the Ballysax here the last day, with Ryan Moore realising this after the 2 furlong pole and just bringing Pierre Bonnard home in his own time. I do think that I can put a line through that, but of course, Endorsement, second in the Ballysax will be there to pick up the pieces if Pierre Bonnard doesn’t come on for that run. Yes, Pierre Bonnard to resume winning ways and land this Derby Trial ahead of stablemate Endorsement.
ParisLongchamp
Prix de Saint-Georges (Group 3) 11.40
Beautiful Diamond
I will be on Karl Burke’s Beautiful Diamond for this Prix de Saint-Georges, and this I will prefer to Francis-Henri Graffard’s Rayevka. It is Rayevka that will be the top favourite, non? because she has been in Group One contests so much, including in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot and the Champions Sprint there also in October. But I know that Karl Burke has been running his horses with much success, and Beautiful Diamond can be the one to be on, with Vaclav Luka Jr’s Jawwal also to be on my list after a second in the Prix de l’Abbaye here at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe meeting. Oui, Beautiful Diamond to get ahead of the big favourite Rayevka.
Prix Saint-Alary (Group 2) (Fillies) 12.50
Gilded Prize (nap)
It must be Francis-Henri Graffard’s Gilded Prize that can be winning the Prix Saint-Alary. When I saw her in the Prix Cleopatre at Saint-Cloud last month, I was very very impressed with how much she had improved from her run on the all weather track at Chantilly in March, and now she must be on my list for the top fillies for 2,000 to 2,400 metres this season. Oui, Gilded Prize will be a very good filly this year, and I cannot see her being beaten for the Saint-Alary.
Emirates Poule d’Essai Poulains (Group 1) (Colts) 2.50
Puerto Rico
Oolala! I was so very very impressed with Puerto Rico when he won the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere here last October, so I must think he can win this Poule d’Essai de Poulains. I will be hoping that he has kept all his ability from two to three, and this is very much the race I am looking forward to the most on Sunday. Maybe it will be Christopher Head’s Nighttime or Andre Fabre’s Komorebi that will be making Puerto Rico race for this Classic prize, and Francis-Henri Graffard’s Rayif also must be considered, but has not run to the 1,600 metre trip before, so must prove his stamina on this very soft ground. Oh, what a race this is, but I must wish to see Puerto Rico win this, ahead of Rayif possibly?
Emirates Poule d’Essai Pouliches (Group 1) (Fillies) 3.25
Narissa
Regarde, this Poule d’Essai des Pouliches is a very very good race, but I do not believe that Diamond Necklace should be such a very bad price. D’accord, I will be aware that Narissa was over 2 lengths behind Diamond Necklace in the Prix Marcel Boussac here, on the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe meeting, but she did make a move very very late in that race, from the back of the eight horses at the 300 metre mark, and now she has the benefit of a run in the Prix de la Grotte to make her more sharp, non? Also, Christopher Head’s Green Spirit was very close in that Prix de la Grotte, and this makes my three to be in with a chance for this Poule d’Essai des Pouliches, but Narissa I must follow with all my heart.
