Marie-Francoise’s Sunday Selections for 15th March 2026
Marie-Francoise’s Sunday Selections from Saint-Cloud & Caroline’s Picks from The Curragh
Saint-Cloud
Prix Francois Mathet (Listed) 12.58
Saint Martin
I will be very strong on Christophe Escuder’s Saint Martin for this Prix Francois Mathet. He has been running very well on heavy ground just like this, winning at Cagnes-sur-Mer from his stablemate L’abbaye last month, so maybe he has the advantage of fitness over many of these. It will be Francis-Henri Graffard’s Mirik that will be well backed, along with maybe Jerome Reynier’s Martagny, who did beat Saint Martin in the Prix Sky Lawyer in January, but Cristian Demuro can make the reversal non? Oui, I will hope that Saint Martin can win this Prix Francois Mathet ahead of Martagny.
Prix Omnium II (Listed) 1.33
Elastic
Oui, I think that the Prix Omnium II Listed Stakes can go to Christophe Ferland’s Elastic. He won the Maiden race over this course and distance last year, and that was with the heavy ground, so I believe that he is the one with class in this field. And he was second just by the neck in the Group 3 Prix des Chenes behind Oceans Four to finish last season, so this level should be a place to start his three year old campaign. Khovikhov was winning well at the end of his juvenile season, both on the all-weather and the turf, so can come second, but Elastic will win.
Prix la Camargo (Listed) (Fillies) 3.25
Ozone (nap)
It must be Ozone that is the favourite for this Group 3, with her last run in the Prix Marcel Boussac a very, very strong piece of form. Also, she has form on the heavy ground here at Saint-Cloud, and won the Criterium de Lyon at Lyon Parilly in a Listed race, so all together I think she should be the one to win this. Zalina won very well from the front on her first run at Deauville, with plenty of pace for Cristian Demuro, and can also go well, but I will be for Ozone.
Prix Exbury (Group 3) 4.00
First Look (nb)
Oui, this is a very good race the Prix Exbury, but I think that it must be for First Look to win. Of course, First Look was in the Champion Stakes at Ascot in October, and has won the Prix Dollar on the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe meeting, so has all the class, though he must be with the penalty for his Group 2 win. D’accord, but this is First Look’s first run of this year, so maybe Patrice Cottier’s Horizon Dore will be more the race fit, and has won just last month in a Listed race, with his usual fast finish. Andre Fabre’s Bright Picture is also on my list, and has always won the first time out each season, but I think First Look will be my one.
The Curragh
Nua Healthcare Irish Lincolnshire (Premier Handicap) 4.20
Orandi
Last year’s winner Orandi must have a cracking chance of taking the Lincolnshire again. He does well went sent out fresh, and with Ryan Moore booked should be getting plenty of support, with the heavy going not likely to be a concern. I’m of the opinion that you ignore Charles O’Brien’s Big Gossey at your peril in these big field handicaps, and with a useful draw in stall 2 looks a cracking each way angle. Engines On is two from three here at The Curragh, and another that won’t be minding this deep ground. These are my three to get the Irish flat season well and truly under way, but I’ll take Orandi for the win I guess.
