Caroline’s & Marie-Francoise’s Sunday Selections for 8th November 2026
Caroline’s Sunday Selections from Naas & Marie-Francoise Saint-Cloud Picks
Naas
Tote Guarantee, Never Beaten By SP Brown Lad Handicap Hurdle (Listed) 2.04
Mister Pessimistic
Well this Brown Lad Handicap Hurdle is a wide open race, but I’m thinking that Mister Pessimistic can be the one to go in. For me, Henry de Bromhead’s Westerner gelding needed a run to get up to his mark, so being fourth of five in a Listed Race at Gowran Park the last day should have shaken the dust off him, and I do think we’ll be seeing a better model this time. On his Handicap debut, Gordon Elliott’s Riskaway hasn’t been given much slack by the Handicapper, though Ethan O’Sullivan’s 7lb claim has to be useful, and Philip Fenton’s Balko d’Ange has sat at the top of the betting, but might be wanting of more cut in the ground. To be sure, I’m hoping Mister Pessimistic doesn’t live up to his name and take the Brown Lad under the excellent Darragh O’Keefe.
Barberstown Castle Chase (Grade 3) 2.39
Kopek Des Bordes
Oh yes, a highly anticipated seasonal return for Kopek Des Bordes, though this assumes he will on the forecast good ground. Of course, Willie Mullins has indicated that Kopek Des Bordes will not go to post on ground that is unsuitable, absolutely the right decision for this winner of the Supreme Novices’ at the Cheltenham Festival last year. But, he remains one of the most exciting chasing prospects around, despite tasking a fall when leading a Grade One Novice Chase at the Punchestown Festival the last day, and a clear round would surely see him win this Grade 3. Irish Panther would be the obvious danger, and Bowensonfire has more to come over fences, but if all goes to plan Kopek Des Bordes should be winning.
Into Kildare Beginners Chase 3.13
Anzadam
Another exciting chaser to come out of Closutton, this time Anzadam who was fourth to Lossiemouth in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham the last day. Over fences now, and those running the book are taking no chances leaving Anzadam odds-on for his first run, but that could open up some fascinating chances for both Barry Connell’s Eachtotheirown and Gordon Elliott’s Koktail Brut. This season will see how these three develop, but Willie Mullins and Paul Townend know how to get one ready for this type of campaign, so perhaps Anzadam is fairly priced. My gut feeling is Anzadam will prevail, but Koktail Brut I do think has been mispriced as a chance, if some sort of Jaysella’s forecasts takes your fancy.
Saint-Cloud
Prix Herod (Listed) 12.23
Sydney Moon
Oui, I think I must take my chance with Sydney Moon for this Prix Herod. Mademoiselle Amy Murphy is very very good here in France, and I can not give any attention to Sydney Moon’s last run non? where he did not get that 1800 metre distance, and c’est possible that the all-weather surface was not for him. Flying Spur is the one to have won here at Saint-Cloud, but maybe Belisa Bay must be the biggest danger to Sydney Moon with a very very good win here in May. D’accord, it will be Sydney Moon that I will be on for this Prix Herod, with Belisa Bay making it the very good race.
Prix Tantieme (Listed) 1.33
Crown Of Oaks (nap)
Oolala, I must be very big on Crown Of Oaks for this Prix Tantieme, and he must be my best one of Sunday. Just two weeks ago here, I believed that Joseph O’Brien’s Princess Child could win the Prix Perth, but it was Crown Of Oaks that was so very close the winner, Half Half under the always brilliant Christophe Soumillon, while Princess Child was behind in the sixth position. This time, Christophe Soumillon is on Skytree, who was winning the Gran Premio de la Hispanidad in Madrid the last time. That was a Listed race also, so Skytree is the very big competitor for this Prix Tantieme. Maintenant, this Listed race is the lesser plate than the Prix Perth non? so I believe Crown Of Oaks will win, but I will be very careful of Skytree and Patrice Cottier’s Vaticana also.
Prix Vulcain (Listed) 2.50
Cosy Bear (nb)
Oh yes, it must be Cosy Bear that can win this Prix Vulcain for me, with Maxime Guyon on the top making it a very very good chance non? Already this year he has won twice on this track, and it must be that this 2400 metre distance is the best for him, so Cosy Bear has to be my very next best of all the horses for Sunday after Crown Of Oaks. D’accord, but Shanour won the Prix Oumnaz at Lyon on the softer ground the last time, and with Mickael Barzalona on the top must be very feared, plus Yann Barberot’s Lameloise won the Prix Tornado here the last time so must be on my list. Oui, on Sunday I will make Cosy Bear my selection for this Prix Vulcain, but Lameloise and Shanour can also be the big players non?
