Jaysella’s Saturday Selections for 26th September 2026

Jaysella’s Saturday Selections from Newmarket & Caroline’s Curragh Picks

Newmarket

British Stallion Studs EBF ‘Jersey Lily’ Fillies’ Nursery Handicap 1.22
Al Samsama
Right then, I’m gonna take a chance on Newmarket’s opener on a big big day at Headqaurters. There’s been plenty of dollars down for Ralph Beckett’s Sierra Belle, a Frankel filly that did it nicely at Kempton Park last time, finding plenty when Rossa Ryan pressed the button a furlong an a half out, but it’s the scopey Al Samsama for me. She impressed me on her debut under rules at Newbury Park, giving Will Buick a final furlong that really stood out, and although softer ground, and the odds on favourite Spirit Tango relegated her to the runners-up spot on her second start at Goodwood, Al Samsama looks to have a decent future. Billy Loughnane takes up the reins for Richards Hughes’ Blue Point filly, and she’s the one to get me off to a winning start, with Sierra Belle the danger.

Tattersalls Online Royal Lodge Stakes (Group 2) (Colts & Geldings) 1.55
First Law
A cracking Royal Lodge for Saturday’s card, but I’ve go no doubts in my mind that Charlie Appleby’s First Law is the one to go in. He’s a good looking boy, this Too Darn Hot colt, and though getting the better of the promising Rocket Boy at Haydock Park three weeks back did make him look a little bit of a work in progress, he looks one with loads of ability so gets my vote. Now, that heavy ground at Haydock didn’t seem to slow ‘im down, despite a top of the ground action that’s gonna be better suited to conditions here on Saturday, so if all goes well, he’s back here in the Dewhurst in a couple of weeks. Stablemate Quest For Stars does look bred to get further, but not a bad second string for Godolphin to have with super Billy Loughnane aboard, while although I was delighted to see Haffner demolish them all in the Acomb at York, the Ballydoyle yard form needs a second check, so Karl Burke’s Burning Up may be the one to watch, as he was very professional when sent off favourite at Haydock Park last time. Yeah, great race in store here, but First Law is the one I think has all the ability at this trip, so can edge it ahead of stablemate Quest For Stars and Burning Up.

Tattersalls Sceptre Sessions Cheveley Park Stakes (Group 1) (Fillies) 2.27
Sun Goddess (nap)
I reckon Sun Goddess is one of the finds of the season, and for me she’s winning this Cheveley Park with plenty in hand. Right, that’s me positives, but plenty more that I wanna discuss here – not that I plan to put you off or anything!! Aidan O’Brien’s yard has just been in a bit of a quiet spell, and Libertango did get upsides of Sun Goddess in the Albany at Ascot’s Royal do, while it’s Simon & Ed Crisfords’ Senorita Bonita that’s showed huge improvement to win the Prix Morny at Deauville last month, so plenty that ya can make a case for. Now it could be that the Ballydoyle two year olds have been intended to peak just now, what with the Dewhurst, the Fillies’ Mile and the Prix Marcel Boussac all in the next couple of weeks, so that point on yard form may be moot, and there weren’t nothing wrong with way Sun Goddess won the Moyglare at the Curragh last time. Senorita Benita won the Duchess Of Cambridge here on the July course, ahead of Libertango, and she’s the real danger to me after that Prix Morny, so with the progressive Moonrise coming into the pictureHaha! then this race is a real treat. Yep, mind’s made up, Sun Goddess is the one to beat, with Senorita Bonita sure to make a race of it and Libertango making the first three. Tricast anyone?

Tattersalls Middle Park Stakes (Group 1) (Colts) 3.00
Inner City Blues (nb)
Well, Inner City Blues won the July Cup here on the other course, and no surprise to see ‘im a hot favourite to double up here and make it three from three. Been already mentioned that old Charlie can’t seem to put a foot wrong just now back on his home turf at Headquarters, and although you can pick holes in Inner City Blues’s first furlong in the July Cup, where he was still a bit green, that tricky small field of three couldn’t have helped, so now in a proper race, so to speak, should settle better. Charlie Appleby has won this the last two years with Shadow Of Light and Wise Approach, and I’m saying he’s taking it back to Moulton Paddocks again with Inner City Blues, with Clive Cox’s Orthodox the one gonna make it a race now he’s back on a firmer surface. Irish raider Push The Boat Out looks an interesting one for me, but this don’t rate the hardest Middle Park in my book, so it would be a bit of an upset if it don’t go to Godolphin. Yeah, Inner City Blues to keep Charlie smiling and the trophy back to base up the road!

bet365 Cambridgeshire (Heritage Handicap) 3.40
Bourbon Blues
A really hot Handicap as ever for the Cambridgeshire, but Ryan Moore on Bourbon Blues does it for me. Brian Meehan’s Space Blues gelding has been going well in these top class handicaps this summer, and I don’t reckon he’s stopped yet, at least I bloody well hope not!! He looked just the type to win a Cambridgeshire when Ryan Moore switched ‘im off at the back in the Pertemps Network Handicap at Doncaster, but a brilliantly timed late run saw him pick off Knights Charge in the dying strides. Ryan Moore, back for more, might need a steadily paced race to pull off the same trick, but Bourbon Blues must have every chance of getting into the frame. Roger Varian’s Indalo won well in a mile Handicap at Sandown Park two starts back, while John & Thady Gosden can ready one for this type of race, so Gavriel gets on my list, and Alan King does well in these big handicaps so Alcarath is a great each way chance, if that’s your thing. Tricky this, but gotta go with your gut, so Bourbon Blues it is, with Indalo and Alcarath making a race of it!

The Curragh

Churchill Tyres Beresford Stakes (Group 2) 3.10
Noble Exhibit
Oh, to be sure Noble Exhibit is the one to be following here, after a very impressive run in a Maiden at Punchestown the last day. He did it the hard way under Wayne Lordan, from the front, but I’m telling yuzz that’s as good a run as I’ve seen in a maiden for one heading for the Beresford Stakes, which could confirm the entry to the Futurity at Doncaster next month. Gave me that feeling that High Definition did when storming through to beat Monassib in this race in last few yards in 2020, and I do respect the value of the Beresford at this point in the season. Noble Exhibit’s stablemate Shakespeare must be respected, though the Group One Golden Fleece looked to find him out a bit here the last day, so Joseph O’Brien’s Venetian Power may be the one to watch. Oh yes, Noble Exhibit is the one they all have to beat, and I do believe he is the one to back.

Goffs Million 4.20
Green Dreamer
Yes, I’m going to be keeping faith with Green Dreamer for this Goffs Million. Somehow, he didn’t find much extra in the Golden Fleece Stakes at Leopardstown the last day, but that was a very warm Group One, so being just short of 8 lengths behind Darkness Falls was a better result than it looks, with the second, stablemate Jesus Green over 4 lengths short of Aidan O’Brien’s winner. It is a drop in distance to this 7 furlong contest, but with Joseph O’Brien sending out King Of Cloughan too, this does look a race he has targeted, though for the prize money on offer, that’s hardly a big surprise. Paddy Twomey’s Trean must be on my list, with Robson Aguiar’s Ballinea Star, but Green Dreamer is my pick for the Goffs Million.