Caroline’s Sunday Selections for 27th September 2026

Caroline’s Sunday Selections from The Curragh

Army Equitation Centenary Irish EBF Maiden 1.25
Hmas Perth (nb)
Now, it won’t be coming as big surprise to see Hmas Perth come home in the opener at the Curragh on Sunday. This Justify colt only went down by a head at Doncaster the last day, but to me looked much more professional compared to his debut from the front of the field under Wayne Lordan, and was only caught late on with a well timed run from Billy Loughnane on Charlie Appleby’s Al Jabbar. He led past the two furlong marker in that mile contest, so this drop back to seven furlongs I think is a good move. Hmas Perth is a half-brother to Precise and holds a couple of Group One entries, so all in all would be expected to go close.

Izuzu Ireland Irish EBF Maiden 2.00
Cluster (nap)
I’ll be minded to go with Joseph O’Brien’s Cluster for the second Maiden on the card, thinking that this extra trip and better conditions will be a big help. Although that mile contest was won with authority by Aidan O’Brien’s Darkness Falls, Cluster made rapid progress from the two furlong marker, finishing in some style to take third, and a repeat of that level will put this Frankel colt right into the picture. The extra experience of Jessica Harrington’s Breath Of Paradise should count for something, so this Blackbeard colt warrants a mention, and I assume that Kingdom Of Camelot would be the Ballydoyle number one with Ryan Moore in charge, and is one that should progress from his debut under rules. Cluster to relish this extra trip, and I think that Kingdom Of Camelot might be the one to make a race of it.

Qatar Racing And Equestrian Club Renaissance Stakes (Group 3) 2.35
Power Blue
Well, I’m going to draw a line through Power Blue’s run in the City Of York Stakes, where I made my mind up he’s best at 6 furlongs. So, here is Robson Aguiar’s Space Blues colt over that trip, and I’ll give him my endorsement ahead of the highly touted Royal Bay Cen and course specialist Big Gossey, another that needs the right trip. Charles O’Brien’s Big Gossey first – if the race falls right for him and he can make a habitual late run from inside the final two, the veteran cannot be dismissed on his favourite course, and with Power Blue in the line up I do think there’ll be plenty of pace on. Royal Bay Cen, and Karl Burke’s raider, Soul Love could both benefit from some fast early fractions, and we should see by halfway whether this race can again play into Big Gossey’s hands. Power Blue to get back on track over this six furlong trip, with Big Gossey the tempting each way angle.

Celebrating County Kildare And Lexington Twinning Maiden 3.10
Valentino Eclipse
I did think that Fozzy Stack’s Valentino Eclipse went well for a long way here the last day, so I like this drop from the mile to six furlongs. Not disgraced in that last run, this Gleneagles colt did seem to fade in the final two, so maybe this trip will suffice. To be sure, Paddy Twomey’s Otsana looked in need of further when third at Down Royal the last day, in a 5 furlong maiden, and for me these should be the two to follow. Daniel McLoughlin’s Lilli’s Angel would also be on my list, but I’ll take Valentino Eclipse to get ahead of Otsana for this Maiden.

Darley Fillies Stakes (Group 3) 3.45
Curracloe
To be sure you won’t be getting a starting price of 22/1 this time around, but there was nothing wrong with the way Curracloe won on debut at Gowran Park the last day. Putting a Ballydoyle filly, Snowing and a Juddmonte, Zenith Blaze firmly in their place, Curracloe looked something special for Johnny Murtagh in that Fillies Maiden, and now gets into a Group 3 on just her second run. There’s likely to be a bit of rain about here at the Curragh, and she won’t be minding that, so with the reopposing Alpine Wedding looking to find 5 lengths from the Gowran Park contest, maybe Daniel Mcloughlin’s Damsel In Distress could be the best rival under Colin Keane. Third in a Fillies Group 3 here the last day, Damsel In Distress does look progressive from that, but I do think it will be a good contest between the Minzaal filly and Curracloe. Yes, I think Curracloe wouldn’t have to improve much to be winning this, with Damsel In Distress making obvious appeal too.

Friends Of The Curragh Irish Cesarewitch (Premier Handicap) 4.20
Light Up The Dark/The Reverend
Well, I’m in two minds here, so I’ll have two bets!! The Reverend and Light Up The Dark both can be in the frame, but I’ll leave you to decide how to play this. First up, you should never not take notice of Willie Mullins in these valuable handicaps, as he’s been making a target of them for a few years now, so The Reverend must be given plenty of respect. He should be race-fit after a good run in the Petingo Handicap at Leopardstown the last day, though stablemate Too Bossy For Us was just ahead and is first reserve for this, but Billy Lee takes the ride on The Reverend so Willie Mullins has shown his intention there. Joseph O’Brien has had a brilliant year, and for me does especially well at these stayers contests, so Light Up The Dark has to be on my list. With Dylan Browne McMonagle still some days away from a return to action, Declan McDonogh has been excellent, and I’ve every confidence in a big run from this Camelot mare. Many more that could be getting a mention, not least Joseph O’Brien’s Sky Captain, so that makes my list of three, but The Reverend and Light Up The Dark are sure to be involved. Good luck, do let us know how your play your bets for this Irish Cesarewitch.