Marie-Francoise’s Sunday Selections for 8th June 2025

Marie-Francoise’s Sunday Selections from ParisLongchamp & Goodwood

ParisLongchamp

Prix Melisande (Listed) (Fillies) 12.58
Ilda Rosa
I think that this Listed race can go to Ilda Rosa. Henri-Alex Pantall’s filly was just one length behind Cankoura in another Listed race here over 9 furlongs, and can get the benefit from this extra trip to win this under Tony Piccone. It will be Fabrice Chappet’s Safia that is going to make a race of it for her, as she was last seen about 4 lengths behind Zarigana in the Prix de la Grotte here, and that is a very, very good piece of form with Zarigana of course going on to win the Classic Poule d’Essai des Pouliches. Ilda Rosa has just a little more to come to beat Safia, but I think she can on this very soft ground.

Prix Volterra (Listed) (Fillies) 1.33
Epson Blue Cen
Maybe the Prix Volterra can go to Henri-Francois Devin’s Epson Blue Cen. This Blue Point filly was second to the Wathnan Racing’s Diego Ventura in a very close finish in the Prix de Pontarme last month, and she would not be having much to improve to win this Listed race. It is a help that Maxime Guyon takes over on the reins, and with this ground maybe too soft for Ed Walker’s British raider, Troia, it can be the improving Honeyflower that will make the race of it. Andre Fabre’s Whataboutism is also regarded, but I think the Epson Blue Cen will win.

Prix Paul de Moussac (Group 3) 2.50
Silius
I very much like the chance of Silius to win the Prix Paul de Moussac, and he can turn the tables on Maranoa Charlie from their meeting at Deauville in April. There was just over a length between them in that Group 3 race, but now this much deeper ground will favour Silius, and possibly also count against Patrice Cottier’s Reach The Sky, who would also like a better surface being a Calyx colt. Of course, Christopher Head’s Dos Mukasan was last seen in the Group One Poule d’Essai des Poulains along with Reach The Sky, so this is an easier task, but I will stick with Silius and Maxime Guyon.

La Coupe (Group 3) 3.25
Iresine (nap)
Make no mistake, this is the very, very good Iresine as he warms up for another big campaign in 2025. A winner of sixteen of his twenty-six starts, and a winner of this race in 2021, I cannot see him losing this to Goliath, who is probably the closest to Iresine in this Group 3 race. Both Goliath and Iresine are Group One winners, though at just five, Goliath may have more to come than Iresine at eight, and is also lightly raced after just 11 career starts. I think that Iresine will be happy to let Goliath go to the front, and then use his finishing pace to win this prize, and for me, this is the race of the day.

Goodwood

Weatherbys/British EBF Agnes Keyser Fillies’ Stakes (Listed) 3.35
Miss Tonnerre
Miss Tonnerre was not on her sharpest form in the Musidora at York last month, but I think she will be better here. That trial race for the Oaks was a competitive one, with the winner, Whirl, nearly landing the Classic at Epsom yesterday, so I think that this Listed race at Goodwood should leave her with a lesser plate. Although the draw in Stall 12 is maybe not so kind, Oisin Murphy is on her to find a good track position coming around into the home turn. Ed Walker’s yard is in very good form, so I expect Miss Tonnerre to be very close.

BetGoodwin Tapster Stakes (Listed) 4.45
Hamish (nb)
It is a good race this for the Tapster Stakes, but with all the rain around this weekend, Hamish should be the winner for me. It is very helpful that Hamish has the inside draw, and I think that will help him control the pace from the front, and with this ground it would look like it is all in his favour. Karl Burke’s Bolster was very good last year, and now can be fit for the race after his run at Chester, which was a Group 2, which he did lead into the home straight but seemed to need some sharpness. John & Thady Gosden have two, Palladium and Military Academy, who can make it a good race, but I like Hamish for the win.