Jaysella & Carolines’ Saturday Selections for 13th September 2025
Jaysella & Carolines’ Saturday Selections from Doncaster & Leopardstown
Doncaster
Betfred Champagne Stakes (Group 2) (Colts & Geldings) 1.50
Oxagon
It might have just been a Novice Stakes at at Sandown Park that Oxagon won last time out, but Oh boy! did he win it well or what? Now, Oxagon with Oisin Murphy up top takes a big step up in grade, taking on the Acomb Stakes winner Gewan, who’s got himself a big three figure rating after just the two starts. John & Thady Gosden are doing their usual though, hitting a run of form just when it matters, so with Oisin on board, I’m finding Oxagon easy to back. Aidan O’Brien’s Puerto Rico was last seen in the Group One Keeneland Phoenix, so can’t be discounted, but I’m sticking with Oxagon please.
Betfred Park Stakes (Group 2) 3.00
Shadow Of Light
Charlie Appleby’s Shadow Of Light is the class act of this field, and should be winning this. Considering he’s been involved in Group One’s all three starts this season, stepping down in grade gives him less to do, in theory, so it was no surprise to see him at the top of the markets this week. Ed Walker’s Ten Bob Tony – don’t you just love that name! – returned to action with a good win in the John Of Gaunt at Haydock Park, beating the likes of Kinross and Spycatcher plus three other rivals here, so has to rate the main threat, but I can’t get away from the jolly. Shadow Of Light to come out and have his day in the sun!
Betfred St Leger Stakes (Group 1) 3.40
Carmers
Well, Aidan O’Brien has had a brilliant Classic season, and it’s hats off to the first trainer to win both the English and Irish Derbies in the same year, as he did with Lambourn. So, where does that leave us for the final British Classic of 2025, the St Leger? Well, I can tell you where it leaves me, wondering if there’s a big upset on the cards, with Paddy Twomey’s Carmers being the least exposed to my mind, as it looked from his run in the Great Voltigeur at York that he was crying out for this trip. Yep, I do get it that Aidan O’Brien’s all powerful Ballydoyle yard are going for a hat-trick of wins in this, but Scandinavia wants the ground as quick as poss, while Lambourn has had some tough races this term, and that all seemed to catch up with him in the Great Voltigeur. There we are, I’ve said the unsayable, I’m going against Ballydoyle and saying Carmers is taking this, heaven help me!
Leopardstown
Ballylinch Stud Irish EBF Ingabelle Stakes (Listed) 2.15
Brownstown
Well now, I can see that Aidan O’Brien is likely to be sending out the favourite, Diamond Necklace, but I’m taking a chance on Gavin Cromwell’s Brownstown. My reasoning is that this Cracksman filly won here on her debut under rules on soft ground, so that’s the first point in her favour. But the last day, where although she was no match for Diamond Necklace’s stablemate, Composing, that was the Group 2 Debutante Stakes, and this Listed race is a whole lot easier. Brownstown also ran well in the Silver Flash on this track, and at double figure odds is just too tempting as an each way gamble against Diamond Necklace.
Irish Stallion Farms EBF Sovereign Path Handicap (Premier Handicap) 2.50
Tribal Nation
Plenty here in with a chance, but I like the idea of dropping Tribal Nation back in trip to 7 furlongs. This looks a very good mark for Joseph O’Brien to land the first of the big handicaps on the card, and with form on heavy going won’t be concerned over conditions. Johnny Murtagh’s Rahmi can make the frame, while Natalia Lupini’s Dunum was third in 2023 and can get involved again. These are my three, but Dylan Browne McMonagle on Tribal Nation swings it for me for the win.
KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes (Group 2) 3.20
Montreal
It’s the Ballydoyle yard that dominates this Champion Juvenile Stakes, and it’s going that way again I reckon with Montreal. Just looking at his run here the last day, where he skittled the field from the front to leave them trailing behind by 8 lengths and more made everyone sit up and take notice. Maybe Christophe Soumillon will try that again, or might he sit off the pace on this Sea The Stars colt, knowing that he’s got plenty of horsepower under him? Stablemate Benvenuto Cellini is also at the head of the market, but I fancy it to be Montreal in a race exclusively of the O’Brien dynasty trained youngsters!
CMG Group Stakes (Group 3) 3.50
Al Aasy (nap)
Just a bit of an Office favourite is Al Aasy, and getting his ground here must have a really big chance. Although he’s eight now, William Haggas’s loyal servant showed he was just as good as ever when scoring at Goodwood last month, and he ran well over this course and distance last year to be a half-length second to Ballydoyle’s Adelaide River. Karl Burke’s British raider Convergent was runner-up in the German Derby last time, and getting plenty of weight from Al Aasy has to be on my list, while last year’s winner, Joseph O’Brien’s Trustyourinstinct is a danger if the ground dries out. I will take my chance with Al Aasy, who could be just a bit too classy for this field.
Coolmore America ‘Justify’ Matron Stakes (Group 1) (Fillies & Mares) 4.25
Fallen Angel (nb)
I’m of the opinion that Fallen Angel saves her best for her away days, so this Irish 1,000 Guineas winner does it for me here. Though with January lining up too, this is a close rematch of the Prix Rothschild at Deauville from last month, where Christophe Soumillon couldn’t quite keep January’s head in front through the line, and Fallen Angel prevailed. However, Joseph Murphy’s Cercene hasn’t hit her ceiling yet, so is a true danger to January and Fallen Angel, with soft ground of no real concern to her. So, I think the Matron Stakes is between these three, but it’s Fallen Angel that’s getting my vote.
Tonybet Solonaway Stakes (Group 2) 4.55
Comanche Brave
Now then, If Donnacha O’Brien has got Comanche Brave right for this, he’s going to be very hard to catch. There were signs of a return to form of the colt we saw finishing fifth in the Irish 2,000 Guineas when he went in at Naas the last day, and I’ll be thinking he can go close again in a wide open race. Ed Dunlop’s Skukuza has promised much, but has to prove it on the softer ground, while Johnny Murtagh’s Alakazi and Jack Channon’s Johan reoppose on near equal terms. Yes, I’m chancing my arm on Donnacha O’Brien and Comanche Brave for this Group 2.
Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes (Group 1) 5.30
Anmaat
I’ll be thinking that Owen Burrows has had a desperately frustrating time waiting to get Anmaat out this summer, but he’s got his ground now so here he comes. Of course, Aidan O’Brien’s Delacroix has been backed into a hot favourite, but Anmaat is a class act and can give weight away to the young colt and still come out on top. John Joseph Murphy’s White Birch is a cert for my list, and this grey can be considered to have been a bit unlucky this season, getting boxed in for the Tattersalls Gold Cup, and then also unseen since with the ground just too fast. These are my three, but Anmaat has conditions he’ll relish, and I think he’ll hold off White Birch for the win.
Irish Stallion Farms EBF Petingo Handicap (Premier Handicap) 6.05
Too Bossy For Us
With the top two in the weights, Harbour Wind and London City having something to prove just now, I’ll take my chance on Too Bossy For Us. We all know that Willie Mullins likes to target these valuable handicaps, and running in the same H O S Syndicate silks as York’s Ebor winner, Ethical Diamond, this could well prove be be another canny piece of placing. Helvic Dream is a former Group One winner that should go well under Chris Hayes, and Emmet Mullins’s Lord Church is my each way gamble. Too Bossy For Us to be too big and bossy for them here, I think!
Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Autumn Fillies Handicap (Premier Handicap) 6.40
Onemoredance
A bit of a puzzler this, but Johnny Murtagh’s Onemoredance is at least consistent, and won’t be minding this going. The hat-trick seeking Noli Timere for Michael O’Callaghan and Ger Lyons Continuite can all make the frame in another wide open race, where it is the three year olds that make most appeal to me. There’s some each way attraction in Joseph O’Brien’s Kodiac filly Sindria, but I’ll go with Onemoredance for the win.
