Caroline’s Saturday Selections for 29th August 2026

Caroline’s Saturday Selections from The Curragh & Jaysella’s Sandown Park & Goodwood Picks

The Curragh

Newtownanner Stud Irish EBF Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies) 1.53
So Lovely (nap)
I’m having no hesitation in giving yuzz all So Lovely for the Newtonanner, after such a comprehensive performance at Leopardstown the last day. Over 7 furlongs, she was well in control rounding the home turn, where Wayne Lordan didn’t have to knock the spots off her to win that warm Fillies Maiden, and as this Wootton Bassett filly is out of Love, there’s plenty of stamina in the breeding to step straight up to the mile. Joseph O’Brien’s Bellesque was third in a Listed contest at Gowran Park, so is proven at this trip, but looked like she could go even further, while stablemate Ballyskeagh should also be in the mix. So Lovely to progress again under Ryan Moore, and very easy to back for this Fillies Group 3.

Heider Family Stables Round Tower Stakes (Group 3) 3.03
Great Barrier Reef
Those of you who are regulars here will know the respect I have for Great Barrier Reef, ever since a stunning debut in April. He showed a real turn of speed there to score by 6 lengths, and has confirmed all that promise with a win in the Marble Hill here since, and then in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, where Ryan Moore had elected to take the ride on stablemate Confucius. Ger Lyons has Livenka opposing, who won a valuable race at Naas the last day, and I could easily say that Donnacha O’Brien’s Where Love Lives and Paddy Twomey’s Velozee have to be involved, but Great Barrier Reef is the one they all have to aim at. Carrying a penalty for his Group 2 win in the Coventry Stakes the last day, Great barrier Reef is still very hard to oppose, and gets my vote over and over!

Snow Fairy Fillies Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies & Mares) 3.40
Meriden
Well, this is a bit tricky this Snow Fairy Fillies Stakes, where the English raider Miss Scott is a fascinating one for me, though I’ll stick with Denis Hogan’s Meriden. Of course, the three year olds get a weight for age allowance that could make plenty of difference, so I’m of the opinion that with some weather about, a younger filly with some form on soft gets plenty of plusses from me. That would include Miss Scott, with Christophe Soumillon over for the ride, but Meriden is one that just seems to thrive on racing, and may just have more to come. Miss Scott is surely well-bred, being a Night Of Thunder filly, and does have a Listed second in her form book, but on home soil, maybe it’s Meriden that I prefer. Of the older horses, Ger Lyons’ Faiyum has still got to get her season going really, but won’t be minding any cut in the ground, and Joseph Murphy’s Pivotal Attack won the last day so joins my list. I’ll take my chance on Meriden, if a busy season hasn’t caught up with her, with Miss Scott maybe the big danger.

Tote Irish Cambridgeshire (Premier Handicap) 4.15
Hardy Warrior
As always, a very tricky Handicap this Cambridgeshire, with plenty that merit a mention. But, Joseph O’Brien has been in the very best of form this season, so Hardy Warrior has to be given respect, though with only Curragh regular Big Gossey above him in the weights, has work to do, and from a wide draw too, to be sure. Ado McGuinness’s Pierre Royal will be well supported, and Natalia Lupini’s Hellorhighwater won the last day at Limerick, so both have a chance along with Kalir, Dermot Weld’s Night Of Thunder gelding that is on a hat-trick. As I’ve said, many to mention, but it’s Joseph O’Brien’s Hardy Warrior that I think can win, despite the big weight, with Hellorhighwater my second choice.

Sandown Park

BetMGM Atalanta Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies & Mares) 2.50
Moon Target (nb)
A top notch Group 3 with Calendar Girl, Secret Of Life and Moon Target all vying for favouritism on Friday. But, I’ve gotta tell ya, Moon Target don’t have to improve much at all from her third in the Prix Rothschild to land this, and considering the amount of rain heading through Sandown Park on Saturday, Sir Mark Precott’s Cracksman filly must have a great chance. I’ve got Ralph Beckett’s Secret Of Life stepping into a Group race for the first time as the danger from under the radar, and there was no faulting her win here in the Listed Coral Distaff last time out, so possibilities. Then Calendar Girl does look an exciting one, will probably handle the ground and hasn’t reached her ceiling yet, so Hum hah, Lah di Dah, anyone of these three. But Moon Target’s third in the Group One Prix Rothschild, after a fine fourth in the Coronation Stakes at Ascot’s Royal do is rock solid form for me, so Moon Target edges it, just!

BetMGM Solario Stakes (Group 3) 3.30
Alfred Wallace
Alfred Wallace couldn’t keep up with Aidan O’Brien’s Haffner in the Acomb Stakes at York last time, but who could? One of my three winners on the first day of the Ebor Festival, Haffner was mighty impressive, but Alfred Wallace in fourth wouldn’t have to do much different to take the Solario here, will act on softer going should the rain change conditions, and does look very well priced. Roger Varian’s Rock Montreal, who cost a cool 1 million Guineas as a yearling, and William Muir & Chris Grassicks’ Breacher have set a good standard after just the one run each, but the ground could be very different at Sandown Park on Saturday afternoon, so just a bit to prove in my book. No, I’ll take the racing experience of Alfred Wallace please, who is sure to go close if fully tuned for his seventh race in a busy campaign.

Goodwood

Virgin Bet Celebration Mile Stakes (Group 2) 3.10
Boiling Point
Well, what a fascinating race we’ve got ourselves for Goodwood’s feature, the Celebration Mile. Seeing as there’s last year’s Sussex Stakes winner, Qirat lining up, and believe me, Ralph Beckett ain’t gonna get 150/1 this time around, and this is a Group 2, it’s a bit of a surprise to see ‘im fourth in the market on Friday morning. But, looking back at this year’s renewal of the Sussex, which was an absolute belter won by Bow Echo in what turned out to be his last run, Quirat did look a bit outpaced from the 2 furlong pole. So, Zavateri, just over 4 lengths back in fourth, tops the betting, while Seagulls Eleven and Boiling Point split them. There’s gonna be plenty of rain about from tonight, and that could play into Hugo Palmer’s hand with Seagulls Eleven, though he’s going to have to settle better early on, while Karl Burke’s Boiling Point likes it here at Goodwood, so must have a chance for the in-form trainer. Heart Says Boiling Point, head says Seagulls Eleven in a real puzzler, pay your money and take your pick!