Caroline’s Sunday Selections for 22nd February 2026

Caroline’s Sunday Selections from Naas & Koby’s Hong Kong Pick from Sha Tin

Sha Tin

The Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (Group 1) 08.35
Ya Ying Rising/Helios Express
Yo Yuuloland! Koby from Hong Kong where it’s hot hot hot! Hey JC, are you there hun? Now here we are at Sha Tin, where there’s only one act in town, and that’s Ka Ying Rising, the world’s best sprinter, bar none. David Hayes has his superstar ready to break more records, and hey, Shucks! Ka Ying Rising is just the best I’ve ever seen man! I mean, what would anyone give to be Zac Purton on Sunday night going through the line looking at that 80,000 plus crowd? Man, that must be immense! So Ka Ying Rising won this last year, and he’s winning it again, but the only way you’re going to get a night out on it is to back Helios Express to follow him home. Take it anyway you want, combo or just a straight place on Helios, but coming out of Gate 3 with Lucky Sweynesse on the inner, it all looks set up for Ka Ying Rising to sit on Lucky Sweynesse’s shoulder until making that big move on the home straight, with Helios Express in hot pursuit! Gonna be awesome, man!

Naas

Download The William Hill App Juvenile Hurdle (Listed) 2.30
Immediate Effect
I do think that there’s more wins to come from Gordon Elliott’s Immediate Effect, and this looks a good opportunity. He made a bright start to his National Hunt career, winning at Punchestown first up for the Cullentra yard, and pitched into a Grade One at the Dublin Racing Festival wasn’t disgraced behind Narciso Has, who was the Triumph favourite until a small setback. Taken from Sir Mark Prescott on the flat, Immediate Effect would probably do better now the ground is not so deep as the last day, and this Listed race is an easier contest. Ted Walsh’s Adrienne looks the one to make a race of it, while French import Majolique is interesting for Willie Mullins, but it is Immediate Effect they have to beat.

William Hill Each Way Extra Handicap Hurdle 3.00
Fierce Handay
I’ll be taking my chance on Noel Meade’s Fierce Handay for this Handicap Hurdle, but I will say it’s an open enough contest. Although he didn’t really lay a glove on Zeus Power or Lazare De Star at Navan the last day, this is a bit easier than that Rated race, and Fierce Handay under Mark Walsh may find Henry de Bromhead’s Peaceinthevalley vying for honours after a fine second here last month. Jouer Masque hasn’t really fired over hurdles yet, but is on my watchlist so completes my three, but Fierce Handay is on a good mark and can win.

Pertemps Network Group Handicap Hurdle 3.30
Melbourne Shamrock
For me, Emmet Mullins holds the key to this Pertemps Qualifier, and it’s next stop Cheltenham if all goes well here. He ran a decent fourth at Navan the last day, and first-time cheekpieces may make an improvement, but these are always pretty competitive contests. so Donagh Meyler will be trying to keep Melbourne Shamrock handy throughout on his handicap debut. Plenty of others have appeal, including last time winner Well Del, but Melbourne Shamrock has to be respected.

William Hill Inside Track Ireland (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race 4.00
Low Kick (nb)
Although he was no match for Willie Mullins’s The Irish Avatar the last day, Low Kick was the best of the rest and can score in the absence of that rival. The well bred It’s Good To Talk, a half-brother to Cheltenham Festival Bumper winner, A Dream To Share has to be noted, while David Kelly’s State Pension won despite being a bit green at Tipperary back in October, though is untried on ground with this much cut. All in all, I do think this is a good chance for Low Kick to get off the mark, so that’s where I’m sticking my pin.

William Hill Racing Bet Builder Chase (Grade 3) 4.30
Touch Me Not (nap)
Oo, what a cracking little race, this Grade 3 Chase. Of course, Champion Chase winner Captain Guinness has to be given the utmost respect, despite now being 11, while Willie Mullins’s Blood Destiny seemed to be progressing well until something was amiss the last day at Fairyhouse. However, he does get lots of weight from Touch Me Not, as they all do, but I do think that these three will be the ones to take the money. Touch Me Not, second in a Grade 2 Handicap Chase the last day where Drumgill and Path D’oroux were well down the field and Blood Destiny pulled up would seem to give Touch Me Not the clear form advantage, leaving only Captain Guinness to beat. If only it were that easy!

William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Nas Na Riogh Novice Handicap Chase (Listed) 5.00
Three In A Row
Just one of five JP McManus runners lining up, Three In A Row makes the most appeal to me for this Listed Handicap Chase. Generally he’s been running at around this trip, and finished a fine second to Terence O’Brien’s unfancied Rusheen the last day here, so just a repeat of that from the same mark must put him in the picture. It’s a wide open contest to close the day, withn Kobalt St Georges trying to keep up the winning run, while Gordon Elliott’s Kish Bank won the last day over 3 miles and joins my list too. Three In A Row to go in if the first-time cheekpieces has the desired effect.