Marie-Francoise & Caroline’s Sunday Selections for 31st August 2025
Marie-Francoise & Caroline’s Sunday Selections from ParisLongchamp & Tipperary
ParisLongchamp
Prix Gerald de Geoffre (Group 3) 1.33
Hotheaded
Oui, the first of the Black Type races at ParisLongchamp’s Sunday meeting is very very interesting. I think that it will be safe to stay on Andre Fabre’s Hotheaded, despite this heavy ground maybe an unknown to him, while Joseph O’Brien’s Irish runner, Emit, will be happy on this surface non, but has not yet been tried over this trip. Christophe Ferland’s Zingaro has all the pieces of form in his favour, he is proven over this trip and winning form here at ParisLongchamp on soft ground, so can also have the argument made for him. But, I must make my decision and I will think that Hotheaded can manage to run on this ground, and win this in front of Zingaro.
Prix d’Arenberg (Group 3) 4.00
Hollywood Treasure
A very tricky race to decide, with plenty of visitors from Angleterre making the trip over, but I like the credentials of Kevin Philippart De Foy’s Hollywood Treasure. This Gregorian filly was most impressive in a Listed contest at Newbury non, showing me a very good attitude to come from the pack in the final furlong to win, and I will think her action will be able to manage this heavy ground. The markets have been giving Donnacha O’Brien’s Havana Anna much support, and Oui, she is on the hat-trick after winning a Listed Fillies contest at Naas, so she must be on my list, while Karl Burke’s Stargazed won very nicely at Ripon on ground with much cut in it, so might have the each-way chance under Tony Piccone. Oui, I think that I will back Hollywood Treasure for the win, but maybe take the each-way chance on Stargazed in these conditions.
Prix de la Cochere (Listed) (Fillies & Mares) 4.35
Vertical Blue (nb)
Vertical Blue was very very good last season, winning the Prix Marcel Boussac to end a fine campaign, ahead of none other than Zarigana in that Group One. She will never ever start at 100/1 in her career again, and I think she is the one to be following here after a first run of this season in the German 2,000 Guineas, and this Listed contest is to me a much lesser plate for her to win. And, I think that it will be the trip to Angleterre for the Sun Chariot at Newmarket that is the main aim for her this season by Francis-Henri Graffard. Maybe Henri-Francis Devin’s Flaming Stone can chase her home, but Vertical Blue I will back with all my heart.
Tipperary
Glenvale Stud Race 3.30
Bravais
I’m going to give Ger Lyons’ Bravais another chance here, given that he reportedly bled the last day at Galway. Obviously, it’s taken on trust that he’ll be ready to go, but this lightly raced Frankel gelding is pretty consistent at around 7 furlongs, so is taken to get upsides of Aidan O’Brien’s Mississippi River, who has been running over further of late. Jessica Harrington’s Hurricane Ivor hasn’t been in the best of form recently, but if trying to make the pace could set things up nicely for the selection.
Coolmore Stud No Nay Never Fairy Bridge Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies & Mares) 4.00
Copacabana Sands (nap)
This Fillies & Mares Group 3 can go to Michael O’Callaghan’s Copacabana Sands, who wouldn’t have to improve much from her run in the Ballycorus to take this. Any rain can only better her chances, though that would also suit Ollie Sangster’s raider, Celestial Orbit, who I rate the main threat, although she’s not been seen since her down the field finish in the French 1,000 Guineas, the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches at ParisLongchamp in May. That said, Celestial orbit can go well fresh, so I’ve not a concern over the length of that break, and the in-form Joseph O’Brien yard send out Princess Child, who completes my three. Copacabana Sands to score, maybe with Princess Child under Dylan Brown McMonagle the one to keep her up to her work.
Irish Stallion Farms EBF Abergwaun Stakes (Listed) 4.30
Songhai
Right then, I’m going to go against the favourite Two Stars and say Songhai can nick this from the jolly. My reasons, well you’ve got to come from a high draw in these Tipperary sprints, especially when soft ground is the order of the day, Johnny Murtagh’s got his yard in great form, and the first time cheekpieces might just give Songhai an extra edge. I’ll give you that Two Stars is on the hat-trick for Fozzy Stack, and coming out of Stall 11 is on the best side of the draw, while Paddy Twomey’s King Cuan has not been quite so lucky coming out of Stall 3. All in all, a pretty competitive sprint for the grade, but while my head says Two Stars, my heart say Songhai, so that’s where my Euro’s going.
