Caroline & Marie-Francoises’ Sunday Selections for 18th October 2026
Caroline’s Sunday Selections from Leopardstown & Marie-Francoise’s ParisLongchamp Picks
Leopardstown
Bahrain Turf Club Knockaire Stakes (Listed) 2.42
King Cuan (nap)
Well after all the excitement of Ascot’s Champions Day on Saturday, here we are back in Foxrock for the Sunday card at Leopardstown. To be sure Paddy Twomey’s King Cuan is going to be well backed for this Listed Knockaire Stakes contest, and with the quick reappearance of Ger Lyons Faiyum, I do think this could be set up for him. We do know that Faiyum needs to get to the front, and that worked for my nap Princess Child last week, where some amount of effort was made by Colin Keane in the first two furlongs to get Faiyum where she wanted to be in the Garnet Stakes in a big field of sixteen, so Princess Child under Joey Sheridan took due advantage. Faiyum looks vulnerable to that same tactic here, but King Cuan does take a step up in trip here, though for me that is a positive. The interesting one for me is the American recruit, Dublin’s Knight, who has moved to Joseph O’Brien from Brendan P Walsh, but possibly one to watch on his debut on Irish soil. Oh yes, Faiyum pushing for the pole position again, with King Cuan taking advantage if seeing out this new trip.
Trigo Stakes (Listed) 3.42
Cowardofthecounty (nb)
Taking a big drop in grade is Cowardofthecounty for this Trigo Stakes, so I’ll be thinking that could reap the dividend. Of course, Aidan O’Brien’s Come What May is a full brother to Derby winner Desert Crown, so after taking a maiden on his first run, being backed in for this is understandable. But, I’m telling yuzz, Cowardofthecounty has so much more racing experience that I do believe it’s for him, and also Hazdann that could be taking this Listed contest. I would love to see Gavin Cromwell’s Snellen get back to her best, but Cowardofthecounty is the one that stands out for me.
Bahrain Turf Club October Handicap 4.42
Sky Captain
I do think that Sky Captain can take this October Handicap, with his sights lowered a bit from the Irish Cesarewitch. He was made favourite for that, and was less than 3 lengths back from Chally Chute, but now lines up as the top weight with Dylan Browne McMonagle now taking up the ride. Dermot Weld’s Handani cannot seem to stop winning, so is on my list, as are Willie Mullins Too Bossy For Us and Johnny Murtagh’s Latin America. A valuable race this October Handicap, but the combination of Joseph O’Brien and Dylan Browne McMonagle attracts me, so Sky Captain gets my big tick.
ParisLongchamp
Prix du Conseil de Paris (Group 2) 2.50
Best Secret
Oui, it is Best Secret that can be winning this Prix du Conseil for me. It must be that when he won the Prix d’Hedouville here at Longchamp in May, beating the big favourite West Wind Blows, this is the distance that must suit him, and c’est possible that this will be his very big advantage over Andre Fabre’s Nitoi. D’accord, Andre Fabre’s Zaraki and Yann Barberot’s Lapotheose all must be having their chance, but Best Secret must be my choice.
Prix Casimir Delamarre (Listed) (Fillies & Mares) 3.25
Pierchic
I think it must be Henri-Alex Pantall’s Pierchic that can win this Prix Casimir Delamarre. It is this Palace Pier filly that made this very very good race in the Prix Bertrand de Tarragon at Chantilly to finish second the last time, and maybe she can be in front of Hello Avenue and Eklleel, but Karl Burke does so well here with his runners from Angleterre, maybe Darnation must also be considered. Oui, I will be on Pierchic for this Prix Casismir Delamarre.
