Caroline’s Sunday Selections from The Curragh for 1st November 2026
Caroline’s Sunday Selections from The Curragh
Mongey Communications Sprint Handicap 12.52
Stag Night
Well, I do think that Will McCreery’s Stag Night is the one for this Sprint Handicap. It’s some big weight to carry over this trip, but this soft ground suits, and Sam Coen’s 5lb claim must be taken into consideration. I must tell yuzz that Stag Night can come out with some good and bad performances at the Curragh, so no guarantees from me. Smoke Them Out could go close, given a very large weight advantage, but Stag Night could be the one nethertheless.
Ryans Cleaning Race 1.27
Valentino Eclipse (nb)
Oh, to be sure this is a very good race, with Hazdann, Excellent Believe and Valentino Eclipse all with strong claims. But, I do think that it can be Valentino Eclipse that has the most scope to be winning here for Fozzy Stack, and of course he is totally unexposed after just three starts. Jessica Harrington’s Storm Ready is another unexposed one, with two wins from two already, but is up against some experienced horses, so must improve again. Hazdann could go well on this ground, but I cannot get away from Valentino Eclipse, with Joseph O’Brien’s Go Just Do It and Stephen Thorne’s Excellent Believe in the frame too.
Isuzu Ireland Handicap 2.02
Therewillbeglory
Oh, I think I must be taking my chance on Andrew Slattery’s Therewillbeglory for this Handicap. She’s been so consistent in her last three starts, second here four weeks ago, and then winning at Naas the last day, so with soft ground assured Therewillbeglory can go very close. Gerard Keane’s Givehertilxmas is in form after wins here and at Bellewstown the last twice, but Therewillbeglory gets my tick.
QuinnBet Loughbrown Stakes (Group 3) 2.37
Chally Chute
Oh yes, I do think that Ross O’Sullivan holds the key to this Loughbrown Stakes with Chally Chute. Of course, Chally Chute was up against Amelia Earhart in the Prix Royal-Oak just last Sunday, where he was just over 3 lengths back from Aidan O’Brien’s filly, but for me this is a quick turnaround for a three year old, so I prefer Chally Chute over Amelia Earhart for this Group 3. Plenty to look at at here, not least Joseph O’Brien’s Snapretend and Dermot Weld’s Abbotsford, but Chally Chute has a great recent record here, so gets my vote.
Keadeen Hotel Premier Handicap 3.12
Hellorhighwater
To be sure, I’ll take my chance on Natalia Lupini’s Hellorhighwater for this Keadeen Hotel Premier Handicap. I do like current form, and Hellorhighwater has won three from his last four, though one show here on unsuitable good ground resulted in a down the field finish. I suppose Andrew Slattery’s Expert Dancer and Uncle Goalie can be expected to go well, but Hellorhighwater has to be my choice.
QuinnBet Finale Stakes (Listed) 4.20
Golden Splendour (nap)
Oh yes, what a race to close the season at the Curragh, the QuinnBet Finale Stakes. I’ve got this marked down as a battle between Aidan O’Brien’s Together Now, Willie Mullins’ Thread Of Gold and Joseph O’Brien’s Golden Splendour, with the Golden Horn sired filly, Golden Splendour my pick. She’s altogether unexposed after just the two starts, but looked to have so much left unused when winning at Punchestown the last day, that I do believe this step up to the mile and a half will prove her breeding has come through. Willie Mullins’ Thread Of Gold is a Ghaiyyath and Aidan O’Brien’s Together Now a Dubawi, so both have claims over this trip by breeding, but given the soft ground and the undulations of the Curragh, I would prefer Golden Splendour. To be sure, my mind’s made up, let us close the season with a winner, and that’s Golden Splendour!
