Caroline’s & Jaysella’s Saturday Selections for 23rd May 2026

Caroline’s Saturday Selections from The Curragh & Jaysella’s Picks from Haydock Park & York

The Curragh

Sherry Fitzgerald Country Homes Orby Stakes (Listed) 1.55
Purview
I do think that the first of the Black Type races can go to Dermot Weld’s Purview, and it does looks like the markets have been telling us that this week. First time out for the season for Purview, I’ll grant you that, but this Kingman colt has run well fresh before, finishing second to Delacroix at Leopardstown last year. The Juddmonte silks have been showing plenty in the winner’s enclosures over the last few weeks, and I’m of the opinion that this is another in the green and pink that can enhance a reputation. Last season’s Loughbrown Stakes winner, Chally Chute must be on your list, and did win first time out last year, while Joseph O’Brien has a strong quartet of which Trustyourinstinct may have the most scope. Yes, I’ll be sticking with the favourite Purview, with Colin Keane definitely adding to my plus points.

Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes (Group 2) 3.05
Bucanero Fuerte
A proven Group One performer, winning the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at two, Bucanero Fuerte is my pick for the Greenlands. Although this Wootton Bassett colt can be pretty rapid out of the stalls, I’m telling yuzz that I think he’s a better better at 6 furlongs now, and although he does like to lead, it at least gives David Egan options through this race. British raider Powerful Glory caused an enormous upset when a 200/1 winner of the Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot last October, so has to be on your list under Jamie Spencer, while Karl Burke’s Spycatcher is classy enough on his day though might prefer softer going. Bucanero Fuerte I’m going to keep faith with for now, hoping he has more Group wins in him!

Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas (Group 1) 3.40
Gstaad
I’m sure that you’ll be agreeing with me in that this is Gstaad’s race to lose. Never out of the first two as a Juvenile, he was the only one that came anywhere close to Newmarket’s 2,000 Guineas winner Bow Echo the last day, and the measure of his dominance is that Charlie Appleby’s Distant Storm, third in that Newmarket Classic, is available at 5/1 as a second favourite. With Alparslan then next in the market at around 9/1, it does look a one horse race, so Gstaad has to be my pick.

Heider Family Stables Gallinule Stakes (Group 3) 4.15
Drop Dead Gorgeous (nb)
The Ballydoyle yard of Aidan O’Brien have smothered the top of the markets this week for this Group 3, but it’s Drop Dead Gorgeous that appeals most to me. This is a bit interesting, mind, because Ryan Moore has taken up the ride on Causeway, who has fancy enough entries in both Derbys and the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown Park, but being a Dubawi filly, I’m of the opinion at three that Drop Dead Gorgeous will be better suited to this new trip. There I sit, up there to be shot down, but Wayne Lordan has already taken Group One honours this year, and I’ll chance my luck he can win again for us here. Drop Dead Gorgeous to nick this one from hot favourite Causeway, I hope!

Haydock Park

William Hill Epic Boost British EBF Hedge Of Oak Stakes (Listed) 1.45
Friendly Soul (nap)
With just a bit of cut in the ground at Haydock park, it’s hard to see past Friendly Soul at this level. The winner of the Group One Prix l’Opera at ParisLongchamp back in October, Friendly Soul is five from six so far in her career, with the only defeat coming in the Musidora at York, her Oaks trial where she might have been turned out too quickly, so one I’m happy to draw a line through. Joseph O’Brien’s Wemightakedlongway didn’t really fire in the Noblesse Stakes at Cork on her first run this season, but with first time cheekpieces may prove to be the biggest threat to my pick. David Loughnane’s prolific winner Sparks Fly completes my shortlist, but Friendly Soul under Oisin Murphy is hard to go against.

William Hill Silver Bowl Handicap (Premier Handicap) 2.20
Langstone
Nothing like a purple patch of form, so hat-trick seeking Langstone gets my vote for the Silver Bowl. He won a Novice Stakes on good to soft ground on Doncaster’s Town Moor track back in March, so with plenty of sun about up here on Merseyside, I’m reckoning the ground can only improve, and it is Clive Cox’s grey that stands out for me. William Haggas has his yard popping out the winners, so Princling has to given a bit of respect, right? while Hugo Palmer’s Laureate Crown is also on a hat-trick, but would need the ground to firm up a bit. Yep, Langstone is easy to back from here, with the bonus of Clifford Lee staying here to take this ride among others, rather than going to Ireland for the meeting at The Curragh.

William Hill Sandy Lane Stakes (Group 2) 2.58
Venetian Sun
You probably all know what high regard I had for Venetian Sun last year, and she showed me enough in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket on her seasonal return to get the vote here. Now, we learnt from that Newmarket run that Venetian Sun is not a miler, well not yet anyway, but I never had her down to win over that trip – for me she’s and out and out sprinter, and a top class one at that. Now I’ve said that of course, she’s gotta prove she can do it on ground with cut, but the weather’s set fair and can only improve, so time will tell. No complaints about the draw though, coming outta Stall 3, so with the pacy Brussels inside of her, Venetian Sun could be drawn into this race nicely. I would rate Clive Cox’s Coppull as the main danger, ahead of market leader Division, but Cliff Lee has given up a Classic ride at The Curragh to be on Venetian Sun, and that’s more than enough for me!

William Hill Temple Stakes (Group 2) 3.30
Shagraan
It will be no surprise to me at all is Shagraan wins the Temple Stakes, given the conditions, ahead of the brilliant mare Asfoora. You can’t knock Clive Cox’s reputation as a trainer for these sprint contests, so on this ground Shagraan is easy to back against the Australian bred Asfoora, and there’s sure to be loads of pace on from the front end with Jim Goldie’s American Affair and John & Sean Quinns’ Jm Jungle all lining up. It’s gonna be fast, it’s gonna be furious, but I reckon it is set up for Shagraan, ahead of Night Raider and American Affair.

York

William Hill Bronte Cup Fillies’ Stakes (Group 3) 3.15
Danielle
No doubt about this one for me, it’s Danielle to take the Bronte Cup, at pretty short odds I’d guess. But, John & Thady Gosdens’ Cracksman mare is way above this lot in the ratings, and should be winning at a canter, though Ed Walker’s Miss Alpilles has stamina assured so can push Danielle hard from the off. Also, I do think that Danielle would prefer just a bit of give in this ground, and with that not being such a concern for Miss Alpilles, it could be closer than the markets suggest. A good duel in store, but on balance, Danielle should be just too good for these despite the good going, and Miss Alpilles can keep her up to her work.