Caroline’s Saturday Selections for 24th May 2025

Caroline’s Saturday Selections from The Curragh, Haydock Park & Goodwood

The Curragh

Avenuebloodstock.com Irish EBF Maiden (Colts & Geldings) 1.20
Brussels
A first run for Aidan O’Brien’s Brussels, and as Ryan Moore prefers him to Kansas, that’s good enough for me. He’s a Wootton Bassett colt, and although Kansas has racing experience on his side, I can’t see why Brussels cannot score on his debut under rules. I will be watching out for Andrew Slattery’s Cisterna and Ger Lyons Learntodiscover as the two most likely to be in the mix, but Brussels it is for me in the opener.

Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes (Group 2) 3.05
My Mate Alfie
I think the Greenlands is going to My Mate Alfie, chiefly at the expense of the highly touted Storm Boy. There’s been plenty of money going down for Aidan O’Brien’s Storm Boy this week, the Australian import that had some Group form in the book before making the move to Ballydoyle, but this Justify colt has been off the track since October and Royal Ascot looks the main target this season. My Mate Alfie ran some crackers here last Autumn, knocking up a hat-trick, and this Dark Angel gelding might have even more to come at four. The British raiders Grand Grey and Iberian are respected, but with Lethal Levi sure to set a frantic early pace, I’ll take My Mate Alfie to benefit from a nice draw in Stall 2 and take this.

Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas (Group 1) (No Geldings) 3.40
Field Of Gold (nb)
It hurts me to say it, but this Classic is going back to England with Field Of Gold! He went mighty close to taking the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket three weeks ago, possibly leaving too much to do when Charlie Appleby’s Ruling Court got first run, but the winning distance was just half a length so there’s not too much to make up. Colin Keane has got the leg-up, and despite the wide draw, Field Of Gold has shot to the top of the markets this week. The one that Colin Keane is going to have to keep tabs on is Jessica Harrington’s Hotazhell, who was four from six last season, and does look a bit special. My only concern is the form at the yard, but Hotazhell should go well, while Aidan O’Brien’s Officer looks the Ballydoyle first string with Ryan Moore aboard. Oisin Murphy won the Lockinge last week, so could have a part to play with Cosmic Year, but my money’s on Colin Keane and Field Of Gold.

QuinnBet Emerald Mile Handicap (Premier Handicap) 4.15
Lord Church
I’m going to take a bit of a chance with this big field Handicap, and say that Oisin Murphy can get a good tune out of Lord Church. It could be a canny piece of placing by Emmet Mullins, and he can only come on for the seasonal reappearance run at Limerick the last day, where he finished with a bit of zest to take third. Quicker ground here will help, and I’ll be betting that he’s going to place at the very least with Oisin Murphy in charge.

Haydock Park

Betfred ‘Nifty 50’ British EBF Hedge Of Oak Stakes (Listed) (Fillies & Mares) 2.25
Running Lion (nap)
Over in England, Running Lion can take the Hedge Of Oak Stakes for John & Thady Gosden, in what is going to be a big day for the father and son team. I’m finding the run in the Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket the last day easy to ignore, and dropping to this Listed level does make life easier, so with form on good to firm ground from Royal Ascot last year I’m expecting a big run under Cieren Fallon. Running Lion was good enough to finish second to stablemate Friendly Soul in the Group One Prix de l’Opera at ParisLongchamp last year, and she really should be winning this.

Betfred Sandy Lane Stakes (Group 2) 3.00
Big Mojo
Loyalty tells me to go for Adrian Murray’s Arizona Blaze, but I do think that Mick Appleby’s Big Mojo might have his measure. He was too good for them all in the Commonwealth Cup Trial at Ascot the last day, and it might be the case that the wind op before that run has made some improvement, but Charlie Appleby’s Symbol Of Honour has been heading the markets this week after winning the Carnarvon at Newbury last week. I’m of the opinion that’s a quick turnaround even for a sprinter, so my head’s telling me Big Mojo while my heart wants to see this go back to Ireland with Arizona Blaze. A real cracking sprint in store, but Big Mojo edges it for me.

Betfred Temple Stakes (Group 2) 3.30
Starlust
I’ll be taking the chance that Ralph Beckett’s Starlust is ready to roll on his first run since finishing down the field behind the brilliant Ka Ying Rising in Hong Kong. That December race was over 6 furlongs, but he’s back to five here, the trip that saw him get a Grade One at Del Mar last November, for which he runs under a penalty in this Group 2. Jim Goldie’s American Affair is worthy of lining up in this grade, but was only sent out nine days ago at York, while Jonathan Portman’s Rumstar comes here on the back of a win in the Palace House at Newmarket. These are my three, but I think Starlust can defy the penalty to win this under Rossa Ryan.

Goodwood

British Stallion Studs EBF Cocked Hat Stakes (Listed) (Colts & Geldings) 2.05
Amiloc
I’ll be saying that this is straight fight between Ralph Beckett’s Amiloc and William Haggas’s Opportunity. I have to side with the unbeaten Amiloc, whose win here the last day over a mile gave me the impression that he’s going to go further, and this is Amiloc’s chance to prove just that. Of course, Opportunity holds a Derby entry, and if this Frankel colt can build on his last run at Haydock Park is sure to figure. Paul & Oliver Cole’s Seaplane is also regarded, and by Golden Horn should have the stamina to see out this trip, so these are my three. Amiloc to step up to this new trip and justify favouritism.

BetGoodwin Height Of Fashion Stakes (Listed) (Fillies) 3.15
Queen Of Thieves
I’m going to take a chance on Queen Of Thieves for this Fillies Listed race, hoping that she can bounce back from a down the field finish in the Chester Oaks latest. To be fair, she was made plenty of use of by Kieran Shoemark in that Chester race, so Rob Havlin takes over and this is drop back in trip may be just the thing she needs, with the downhill finish maybe seeing her through the line. Andrew Balding is going great guns this season, so Music Piece must be the main threat, but I’ll take my chance on Queen Of Thieves.