Marie-Francoise’s Sunday Selections for 25th October 2026
Marie-Francoise’s Sunday Selections from Saint-Cloud
Prix de la Flore (Group 3) (Fillies & Mares) 11.48
Miss Justice
It was both the raiders from Angleterre Azaniya and Miss Justice that were the one and the two here in the Prix Dahlia, and she can win again. The Prix Dahlia was a Listed race over 2000 metres, but Miss Justice won going away from the rest under Christophe Soumillon, the best Belgian in all of France, so he can make this trick again with a late run over 100 metres more. Marvin Grandin’s Temapica had the entries for three weeks ago, over the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe meeting, but did not run so can still be fit for an appearance here non? and I must be aware of Joseph O’Brien this Sunday as he is doing so well this season. Oui, Miss Justice has her soft ground, and can make it another win here at Saint-Cloud under Christophe Soumillon.
Criterium International (Group 1) 12.23
Aix La Chapelle
Oohlala, this is a very very good race this Criterium International, but it is Aix La Chapelle that I will be on. D’accord, but Aidan O’Brien has two entrants for this Group One contest, with Ryan Moore being on Capability Brown, who has won on heavy ground at the Curragh, so will be very okay on this soft ground, but I do think that Aix La Chapelle is at this better trip, so is my preference of this pair. Capability Brown did seem a bit more professional in the Killavullan Stakes at Leopardstown the last time, but was very pushed to the line by Paddy Twomey’s Trean, and maybe as a Dubawi he maybe needs the longer trip non? But also we have Charlie Appleby with First Law, who will be okay on this soft ground after winning at Haydock Park on heavy ground in the Ascendant Stakes, and Francis-Henri Graffard’s Zakkan was winning the Prix des Chenes last time so is also on my petit list. Bon, I will be behind Christophe Soumillon on Aix La Chapelle to win this Criterium International, with Zakkan to make him race and Capability Brown behind them both.
Prix Perth (Group 3) 12.58
Elastic (nb)
I believe that it is Christophe Ferland’s Elastic that they all must beat to win this Prix Perth. It is the conditions perfect for Elastic, and he is two wins from two races here at Saint-Cloud, so can make it the three here as the 1600 metre specialist, with Maxime Guyon maybe to benefit from the draw in Stall 1 also. D’accord, but I know that Caroline has very much high regard for Joseph O’Brien’s Princess Child, and she won the Garnet Stakes at Naas the last time, so I must make her on my list, plus William Haggas has Crown Of Oaks and Henri-Alex Pantall’s Fortuna Diamond must be considered. But, it is Elastic that is the best over 1600 metres, so I must go with him, and Maxime Guyon cannot be better for me on top.
Criterium de Saint-Cloud (Group 1) 1.33
Drumbeat
Oui, I think that this Criterium de Saint-Cloud must be going to Aidan O’Brien with Drumbeat. D’accord, this must be the very different conditions from his win in the Zetland Stakes at Newmarket the last time, but he is a very well bred Wootton Basset colt, and maybe he can be good on the soft ground here at Saint-Cloud. But, the Sea The Stars progeny also must be fine on this soft ground, so Al Jabbar for Charlie Appleby and Godolphin must be on your list, and Joseph O’Brien has Jesus Green, the Ghaiyyath colt that was so impressive at Navan the last time, and now Dylan Browne McMonagle is on the top. Maintenant, this Criterium de Saint-Cloud can go to Drumbeat, with Aidan O’Brien having the three from seven in the race!
Prix Royal-Oak (Group 1) 2.50
Queenstown (nap)
Oh oui, what a race this is to be the Prix Royal-Oak, but it must be Queenstown that will win. Last year, Aidan O’Brien kept Queenstown for this race in France, after his third in the Prix du Cadran at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe meeting before, and being second to Arrow Eagle was a very very good performance for me, so this year I believe Queenstown can win. Arrow Eagle does not compete this time, but Christophe Ferland’s Double Major will try to take this race from the front, and Ryan Moore maybe will be happy to see that tactic non? Al Nayyir is always in these big contests over the 2400 metres, but it must be that Amy Murphy’s Jabracadabra must be the big big danger, after winning the Prix Chaudenay the last time. Maintenant, I believe that Double Major will be making the running for this contest, but Queenstown can be winning the Prix Royal-Oak, with Jabracadabra also to be making it a good race.
Prix Belle de Nuit (Group 3) (Fillies & Mares) 3.25
Beset
Oui, I have not one moment of hesitation here, to say that Beset will be winning this Prix Belle de Nuit. Pour moi, this is just the type of the contest that Joseph O’Brien makes his best, and with his stable jockey number one, Dylan Browne McMonagle back from the big injury after the accident at Bellewstown in Ireland, they have to be the forces to be reckoned about with, I think you say. Of course, Brilliant Star for John & Thady Gosden must be given all of your consideration, with Christophe Soumillon on the top a very big plus, and Andre Fabre’s Eleganz must be on my list after a very very good fifth in the Prix de Royallieu at ParisLongchamp the last time. D’accord, it must be Beset that can be winning this Prix Belle de Nuit, but Eleganz must be the big danger with the parachute from the Group One Prix de Royallieu.
