Caroline’s Sunday Selections for 28th September 2025

Caroline’s Sunday Selections from the Curragh

Tote 20K Euros Guaranteed Placepot Today Irish EBF Maiden 1.30
Cape Cod
Well, I do think that this is an interesting opener for the Irish Cesarewitch card, and I can see it going to Cape Cod. With the sad demise of supersire Wootton Bassett still fresh in my memory, we are now looking at the penultimate batch from that well loved sire. And, leaving some very ordinary form behind him here on debut, Cape Cod really got it all together at Punchestown the last day, finishing within a length of his well fancied stablemate, Port Of Spain. Wayne Lordan’s aboard, so I’m hoping he’ll keep Cape Cod upsides of Dermot Weld’s Kalir.

Fitzpatricks Mercedes-Benz Irish EBF Maiden 2.05
White Sand Beach
Obviously not much form to go on for this second Maiden on Sunday’s card, but I’ll be taking the chance on White Sand Beach. This Dubawi filly showed enough on her debut under rules to make me think she’ll come on from that Punchestown run where she was a half-length second, and she gets my marginal preference over Joseph O’Brien’s Spangled Sands, though I doubt there’ll be much in it. Zia Zabel is of interest on debut, being a Ghaiyyath sired colt, but is sure to want further in time, and these are my three. White Sand Beach to just edge it over Spangled Sands, while I keep a close eye on Zia Zabel’s first run.

Weld Park Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies) 2.37
Alibah
A tricky little one this, for me, but I’ll stick my pin on Joseph O’Brien’s Alibah. She finished less than a length behind Yaupon De Replay in the Listed Blenheim Stakes at Fairyhouse the last day, and if ready to race again has to be at the top of my shortlist. Joseph Murphy’s Pivotal Attack was in the Group One Moyglare the last day, so this is a bit of a smaller dish to swallow, and Paddy Twomey’s Black Caviar Gold completes my three. Alibah is my pick for the Weld Park, in a trappy one, but that’s where I am, Lord help me!

Tote Guarantee, Never Beaten By SP Renaissance Stakes (Group 3) 3.12
My Mate Alfie (nap)
I think I’ll be taking a chance on last year’s winner, My Mate Alfie, who has recently been looking to find last season’s form. There’s a chance he can find it here, with a good record at the Curragh, and this is very much his time of year. Of course, with a plum draw in Stall 2, Will McCreery’s Vespertilio has to be in the thick of it, while local boy Art Power always has to be noted on this track, even if he’s not the force of old. Big Gossey refuses to act his age also, so must not be disregarded, and these are my principals, with Karl Burke’s Spycatcher not out of it too. Decisions, decisions…..okay, it’s My Mate Alfie that’s winning this! Nice any way Tricast on these picks could be the way to go, if you like that sort of thing?

Friends Of The Curragh Irish Cesarewitch (Premier Handicap) 4.22
Ascending (nb)
This is one very hot hot hot Handicap, as it should be, but I can’t get away from Henry de Bromhead’s Ascending for the Irish Cesarewitch. I’ve got to tell you that I thought his run in the Ebor at York was a fine performance, and considering that his win in the Ascot Stakes in June was over two and a half miles, there’s no doubts about the stamina. So, my thinking is, given that there’ll be plenty of pace on from the off, Ascending’s proven stamina will come into play when the race enters the final half mile. That’s the plan anyway, but I would expect Donnacha O’Brien’s Happy Pharoah, Joseph O’Brien’s Nurburgring and the Willie Mullins trio of Tounsivator, Too Bossy For Us and Queenstown to all be in the mix. Okay, decision made, it’s going to be Ascending to win, and Queenstown as my each way gamble. Good Luck!