Caroline’s & Jaysella’s Saturday Selections for 18th July 2026

Caroline’s Saturday Selections from The Curragh & Jaysella’s Newbury Picks for Saturday 18th July

The Curragh

Al Shira’aa Racing Meadow Court Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies & Mares) 2.15
One Look
It wouldn’t be a surprise to anyone to see Paddy Twomey’s One Look take this Group 3. She has an astonishing record here on The Curragh, only once out of the top two in seven races, and I do think that’s an unarguable record. For me, she was the first to be pushed the last day in the Pretty Polly here rounding the home turn, but still got in front of Oaks winner Thundering On and Ger Lyons Red Letter, but with Nyra withdrawn for that contest, for whatever reason, I am thinking that this may not be the hardest race to win. The odds suggest to me that’s the case, so I’m finding One Look very easy to back in this grade.

Liverpool FC Foundation Scurry Handicap 2.50
Headmaster
I do think that Ed Lynam’s Headmaster is the one to follow for this Scurry Handicap. Coming over from William Haggass’s Somerville Lodge yard this season, one run here gave a win ahead of a couple of these over this trip, so I do think he’s worth another chance after a fine second in the Mallow Handicap at Cork the last day. Ahead of Bodhi Bear and The Highway Rat in his last win, this pair have something to find to be sure, and the booking of Dylan Browne McMonagle is noted, so Headmaster looks a very solid chance in this Handicap.

Tulfarris Hotel And Golf Resort Sapphire Stakes (Group 2) 3.25
Havana Anna (nb)
Oh, I do think that I’ll take my chance on Havana Anna for this Sapphire Stakes. She was a 2 length fourth in the Group One Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot the last day, but I telling yuzz this is a whole lot easier, so as long as Gavin Ryan can see her smartly out from the off, I don’t see this drop back in trip of any concern. I’d guess that Robert Cowell’s Jakajaro would be the main danger, and George Boughey’s Rosy Affair had plenty of speed in the King Charles III at Royal Ascot, so this pair have to be on my list. For me, both Aidan O’Brien’s Charles Darwin and Bucanero Fuerte, now with Robson Aguiar have lost some of their zip this season, so Havana Anna is my pick.

GAIN Railway Stakes (Group 2) 4.00
Carry The Flag
Well, this is a very interesting Group 2, with Carry The Flag, Immortal Guard and Confucius all having proper claims. But I’ll be of the opinion that Carry The Flag would be the one to follow, after a return to winning ways in the Coolmore Stud Tipperary Stakes the last day, an easier contest than the Norkolk Stakes at Royal Ascot where Wesley Ward’s American sprinters set some very fast fractions from the off. Aidan O’Brien’s Confucius could be threat, but must progress, while Robson Aguiar’s Immortal Guard is also on my list, but Carry The Flag has the best credentials.

Juddmonte Irish Oaks (Group 1) (Fillies) 4.35
Thundering On (nap)
Well, I did think that Joseph O’Brien’s Thundering On was just caught for pace in the Pretty Polly here the last day, so the return to a mile and a half is the right remedy. So, with Dylan Browne McMonagle already having one Oaks trophy on Thundering On in the Trophy cabinet, he goes for another here on The Curragh. The only chink in the armour for me could be the very quick ground, but she has proven herself on good ground, and I do think from that Epsom Classic that this trip is her ideal. I would guess that William Haggas’s Earth Shot will rate the big danger, but we don’t know yet whether she travels, so Thundering On is mine for the big one!

Newbury

Hallgarten And Novum Hackwood Stakes (Group 3) 3.02
Symbol Of Honour
I reckon I’ll take my chance with Symbol Of Honour for the Hackwood. Charlie Appleby’s Havana Grey gelding came back from a break after a couple of races at Meydan over the winter, and his third in the Chipchase at Newcastle showed he needed a run, so I’m expecting Symbol Of Honour to put in a much better shift here, back on preferred turf and with Will Buick up top. The unexposed Soldier’s Tree is interesting after a third behind Group One winner Almeraq back in May, but Symbol Of Honour floats my boat at this level.

Weatherbys Super Sprint Stakes 3.37
Sky Secret
Clive Cox has been going great guns with his sprinters this year, so I’ll side with Sky Secret for this Weatherbys Super Sprint. Likes fast ground, has PJ McDonald getting the leg-up, draw in Stall 14 can give ‘im a stands side pull in this big field, so lots to like overall for me. There’s been plenty of noise ’bout Richard Hughes’ Bint Archange after she won the Dragon Stakes at Sandown Park last time out, while Richard Spencer’s Zigazag Ah would be my each-way gamble for all those extra places you can get from some of the bookies. That’ll be me three, but Sky Secret is the one I like for so many reasons!