The Mandarin’s Saturday Selections for 30th May 2026

The Mandarin’s Saturday Selections from Carlisle & Beverley for 26th May

Carlisle

Betway Handicap 1.30
Opportunity
This looks an excellent chance for William Haggas’s Opportunity to get off the mark this term. Not beaten far at Ascot three weeks back, making progress in the final furlong to finish a two and a half length third, I would think he’s entitled to come on for that run, where this well built colt does look one for staying trips, and may well be ahead of this mark in handicaps. Charlie Johnston’s filly Ghaiyya has claims after winning at Doncaster, and Ed Bethell’s Rogue Millions would be my each way angle, but Opportunity should prove a tough nut to crack.

Betway Reverence Handicap 2.00
Grant Wood
I’m going to take an each way chance on Paul Midgley’s Grant Wood for this Reverence Handicap. This looks a decent chance to get into the money as at generous each way odds, given that it doesn’t look the strongest race on paper, with plenty in this line up having questions to answer. Grant Wood gets his conditions here, and coming out of Stall 4 for this 6 furlong trip has the best draw on trends analysis, where early pace is key, so for all that I’ll take the chance this Caravaggio gelding can continue a decent run of form, and place at the very least. I guess William Haggas’s Realign should be given another chance after an underwhelming run at Newmarket, and in-form Karl Burke has the unexposed turf handicapper Recency Bias completing my list of three.

Betway Achilles Stakes (Listed) 2.33
Celandine (nap)
I’m going to give a chance to Ed Walker’s Celandine for this Listed contest. It’s pretty key here at Carlisle to get a low draw and plenty of pace on from the off, especially in bigger fields, so this Kingman filly looks ideally placed to make the most of these conditions under Kieran Shoemark for last year’s winning yard. Clive Cox’s Redorange lines up on the back of a win at Windsor, where Rossa Ryan didn’t exactly knock the spots off him to win that Class 2 race, so I’d have him down as the big danger with William Buick booked, while Kevin Ryan’s Washington Heights couldn’t find a way through in the Palace House Stakes at Newmarket, but could make a bold bid from the front here. Actually, this is a bit of a cracker with Breeders’ Cup winner Starlust back on track, and plenty of others in with a shout, but the gut feeling is Celandine, so fingers crossed!

Betway Lester Piggott Fillies’ Stakes (Group 3) 3.10
Estrange
With the relocation of this Group 3 from Haydock Park, that’s a small negative for Estrange, being two from two at the Merseyside track. But, that’s the only real negative point in my book, as this runner-up in the British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes from Ascot’s October meeting is all class, so it is Estrange that they all have to aim at despite being on a new course. I would think that Owen Burrows would hold the best chance of making a proper race of it with Azaniya and Waardah, and both could have more to offer this year at four, while John & Thady Gosden’s Crepe Suzette wasn’t liking Goodwood on her seasonal reappearance, but was generally progressive last season so has to be shortlisted. Not the easiest ride at times, but Estrange is real quality, and I’m sure Danny Tudhope has got all the angles covered.

Betway Silver Bowl Handicap (Heritage Handicap) 3.45
Langstone
Well, our Jaysella gave Langstone for this race last week at Haydock, only for it to be postponed due to the ground concerns. Well, given she’s our 2025 Number 2 Tipster, I dare not disagree with the lass, so Langstone it is for the Silver Bowl. I must say, after a tremendous week of summer weather, the going may be even better for Clive Cox’s Mayson grey gelding, but that’s something we’re going to find out on Saturday! William Haggas’s Princling, Jack Channon’s Crest Of Fire and Hugo Palmer’s Laureate Crown are all likely types, but let’s stick with Langstone.

Beverley

Hilary Needler Trophy EBF Fillies’ Conditions Stakes 2.15
Kodi Bear Light
I am only hoping that Clifford Lee can get Kodi Bear Light off to a flyer here at Beverley. Coming out of Stall 10 isn’t the greatest place to be over this sharp 5 furlong dash, but this Kodi Bear filly showed plenty of pace from the off at Thirsk two weeks ago, so more of the same please! Archie Watson’s Cosmic Mystery cost a pretty penny at the breeze-ups, and has a very advantageous draw in Stall 2, so this Havana Grey filly makes an interesting debutante, and I suppose I would have to put Richard Fahey’s Crystal Queen onto my list of possibles. Richard Hannon’s Rollthedicebaby wouldn’t be a huge surprise to figure too, but I’m sticking on Kodi Bear Light, despite the wide draw.

Beverley Two Year Old Trophy EBF Conditions Stakes (Colts & Geldings) 2.48
Matteo (nb)
Course and distance winner on debut, Matteo should be very hard to beat if repeating the form from his April run. What really impressed me, though, was how well he knew his job, and to be frank, that debut appearance was a winning one well before the furlong pole. Now, I do always advise caution on early form with two year olds, as they are juvenile and prone to in and out performances, with undiscovered niggles also tending to show up on that second run, but with Matteo I’m throwing all caution to the wind. Arapaho Gold, for Michael Dods who does so well with his sprinters would be my danger, if you’re looking for the forecast, as some of you do. but I’m convinced on this next best! Good to firm ground, same track, in the prime section of the draw – what could possibly go wrong? Matteo it is!!