2026 National Stakes Tips - Cole's Rascal can strike again on Sunday
The 2026 National Stakes at the Curragh is set for excitement with a talented juvenile lineup. Monogram, trained by Joseph O'Brien, enters as the bookmakers’ favourite, but Dr Rascal, fresh from a Vintage Stakes win, is tipped as the standout bet. Aidan O'Brien's duo, Haffner and Giant Sequoia, present tough competition. However, Dr Rascal's notable resilience and performance have boosted his chances. Racing fans should watch for Dr Rascal to potentially hand trainer Oliver Cole and jockey Kaiya Fraser their first Group One triumph.
- Odds and betting predictions for the 2026 National Stakes
- This Group One will be run at the Curragh on Sunday 13th September
- Dr Rascal is our best betting tip at 9/2
With Sunday's Irish St Leger looking like a procession for Scandinavia, we're switching our focus to the Vincent O'Brien National Stakes. This seven-furlong Group One for juveniles has been won by plenty of future Classic winners, including Dubawi, George Washington, Gleneagles and Churchill, who all went on to win the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket the following season.
Here's our free guide to the 2026 National Stakes, including our best betting tips.
2026 National Stakes Odds
| Name | Odds |
|---|---|
| Monogram | 2/1 |
| Haffner | 7/2 |
| Giant Sequoia | 4/1 |
| Dr Rascal | 9/2 |
| Folsom Blues | 12/1 |
| Bar | 16/1 |
2026 National Stakes Runners
The National Stakes has been won by Joseph O'Brien in three of the last six seasons, and he'll be represented on Sunday by Monogram. O'Brien's colt came from well off the pace to snatch an unlikely victory on his debut at the Curragh last month, and most bookmakers list Monogram as their favourite.
Aidan O'Brien accounts for the next two names in the betting. Ryan Moore retains his partnership with Acomb Stakes winner Haffner, while Wayne Lordan teams up with Giant Sequoia again, having guided him to victory in the Futurity Stakes.
British horses have a strong recent record in this Group One, and Oliver Cole's Vintage Stakes winner Dr Rascal will fly the flag for the UK on Sunday. Folsom Blues is Joseph O'Brien's second string, with Aidan O'Brien also choosing to run the vastly experienced Florida Bay, who could be on pacemaking duties.
The once-raced Porto Vecchio represents Dermot Weld following his maiden win here at the Curragh in July. Paddy Twomey's Acomb Stakes third Trean completes Sunday's line-up.
2026 National Stakes Tips
Joseph O'Brien and Juddmonte Stud opted to supplement Monogram for Sunday's feature. Given the market confidence behind the favourite and Joseph's excellent record in this race, Monogram should prove difficult to beat.
Neither Giant Sequoia nor Haffner seems like a world-beater, but Aidan O'Brien's pair are tough and honest and should keep the market leader honest. Dermot Weld has targeted this race with Porto Vecchio, and he could prove to be the value option.
However, I've been a huge fan of DR RASCAL (9/2) all season long, and he could follow in the footsteps of Pinatubo and Zavateri by completing the Vintage Stakes and National Stakes double.
Kaiya Fraser's mount claimed a routine victory on debut before storming to a second novice success at Ascot, despite breaking loose from his handler before the start. In danger of being boxed in against the rail, Fraser made a daring move aboard Dr Rascal in the Vintage Stakes, barging past the front-running Pikachu before holding Haffner and Al Hudaiba on the run to the line.
The contact between Dr Rascal and Pikachu wasn't insignificant, and it blunted the winner's momentum for a yard or two. The fact that he was able to score so snugly after that incident marked the performance up significantly for me, while Haffner's subsequent victory in the Acomb Stakes provided that Vintage form with another sizeable boost.
I love it when a smaller stable unearths a diamond in the rough, and Dr Rascal looks like a juvenile out of the very top drawer. Hopefully, he will prove that on Sunday to hand both Oliver Cole and the excellent Kaiya Fraser a maiden Group One success.
Visit our National Stakes Live Stream page if you want to watch any of Sunday's races at the Curragh via a mobile or tablet.
Live Stream
Visit our National Stakes Live Stream page if you want to watch any of Sunday's races at the Curragh via a mobile or tablet.
Verdict
Dr Rascal is our best bet in the 2026 National Stakes.
Dr Rascal
2026 National Stakes Tips
@9/2 - 5 Units
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