Caroline’s Sunday Selections for 28th June 2026

Caroline’s Sunday Selections from The Curragh & Marie-Francoise’s Saint-Cloud pick

The Curragh

GAIN Equine Nutrition Irish EBF Maiden 1.10
Alpha
Well, the last time that Alpha ran in a Fillies Maiden at Leopardstown, Wayne Lordan was aboard, while Ryan Moore took the ride on stablemate Ibelieveicanfly. All change now, as Ryan Moore gets onto Alpha, who did show plenty in the final half furlong to finish strongly in second. I do think that this race is going to be between these two, and it’s going to be Alpha, the Sea The Stars filly that’s sure to be topping the betting. Good enough for me for the opener on Derby Day!

Dubai Duty Free Rockingham Handicap (Premier Handicap) 1.40
Likedbymike
I’ll be taking a chance on Likedbymike for this 5 furlong sprint, with Colin Keane taking the ride on this Inns Of Court filly. I do think she could have won more, but with three seconds this season from five starts she must be due for a win soon enough, and now tries her luck in a handicap. Top weight Gazelle D’or must be a major player, but my gut tells me Likedbymike is overdue a success.

Jebel Ali Racecourse & Stables Dash Stakes (Listed) 2.10
Big Gossey
Well, I think I’m going to take my chance on the veteran Big Gossey for this Listed race. Better than ever this season, to be sure, Charles O’Brien’s admirable servant could be the one to back here, now dropped in grade to a Listed contest. I do think there’s every chance that Billy Lee will play his hand sooner, looking back at the run in the Group 2 Greenlands Stakes the last day, so from a decent draw, Big Gossey is the the one for me. Yes, on this better ground, and with racing experience in spades, Big Gossey has to be in with a super chance.

Dubai Duty Free International Stakes (Group 3) 3.20
Purview (nap)
In many ways, the easiest pick of the day for me on Sunday, as I was so pleased to see my pick for that win in the Orby Stakes the last day work out so well. A good start to this campaign, and onto some bigger dates in the diary, so with this 10 furlong trip just perfect in my opinion, I can’t see past Dermot Weld’s Purview in this grade. I have been thinking this year that Aidan O’Brien’s Isaac Newton is finally showing some promise, but I cannot endorse this Camelot colt on this quicker ground over this trip. Jessica Harrington’s Hotazhell has to be on anyone’s list, but I’ll put all my money on Purview, thankyou!!

Dubai Duty Free Celebration Stakes (Listed) 3.55
Tokenomics
I’m going to take a real gamble in this Listed Celebration Stakes with Tokenomics, who so nearly won the Amethyst Stakes at Leopardstown the last day. In fact, Tokenomics had Karl Burke’s Alcantor well beaten in that Listed contest, and with this ground on the firmer side, I can see David Marnane’s charge better suited to conditions. Daniel McLoughlin’s Duckadilly will get plenty of support after a confirming win at Navan, but Tokenomics gets my vote.

Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (Group 1) (No Geldings) 4.35
Raaheeb (nb)
Oh my dear Lord, can I really tell yuzz that the Irish Derby is going to Owen Burrows’ Raaheeb!! Well, I’ve got to be going with my instinct, and that is that this Raaheeb is a very special colt, obviously superbly related and sure to be going to post with no margin in the betting. But, Benvenuto Celllini does look lined up for this, and there’s some payback asked from the Ballydoyle yard from the Epsom Derby, since the entanglement in the stalls that cost him his chance, but for me this is all about the ground. Now, I’m of the opinion that too much has been made of this factor for Raaheeb, and although this is just his third race, I cannot get way from that win at Sandown the last day, where I thought he looked something really special. More to come from Raaheeb, and a big win for Owen Burrows in an Irish Classic.

Saint-Cloud

Prix Eugene Adam (Group 2) 3.00
Overnight
Ooh, it is just perhaps a shame that there are only the four to be in the race for this Prix Eugene Adam. D’accord, but it must be between the Andre Fabre’s Overnight and Pearled Majesty to win this Group 2, but it is Overnight who can win. But, Pearled Majesty has all of the very best form after his last run in the Prix du Jockey Club, so this is a very very good race. Oui, I am very very appy to be on Overnight for this Group 2 contest, but this could be the very tactical race with Andre Fabre having Baroud also one of the four. Maintenant, I must be on Overnight for this Prix Eugene Adam.