The Mandarin’s & Jaysella’s Saturday Selections for 24th October 2026

The Mandarin’s Saturday Selections from Cheltenham & Jaysella’s Doncaster Picks

Chelltenham

William Hill Epic Boosts Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase 1.10
As Legends Have It
It’s probably going to be about who copes with conditions the best at Prestbury Park on Saturday, so I’m sticking my pin on As Legends Have It. Ben Pauling’s charge won’t be lacking for stamina, having won over 2 mile 7 furlongs at Stratford on soft ground, and if the two Bens, Pauling & Jones combine as well as last season, their chasers have to be noted. Irish raider Rockonliam lines up for the in-form Henry de Bromhead, but I can’t see him going well on this ground in search of a four-timer, so Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies’ Spectacularsunrise could be the danger. I’ll take my chance on As Legends Have It, with Spectacularsunrise to push him all the way.

William Hill Extra Places Every Day Novices’ Hurdle 1.45
Kashchei
There’s been plenty of support this week for Olly Murphy’s Road To Wembley, but whether he’ll see this out on desperate ground is the question. With the rain pretty relentless all through Friday, and more in the forecast for Saturday from the start of the card, this looks a big ask for Road To Wembley despite hot favouritism in the markets this week. I prefer the appeal of Irish raider Kashchei, who could be the answer if on a going day for his first appearance at Cheltenham. He won’t be lacking for stamina around Prestbury Park, and should have an experience edge with Carl Millar aboard, and Gordon Elliott could also have a say with Newbrook Diamond who is another who will relish these conditions, so with Harry Cobden booked, has to appeal. I’ll take my chance against the jolly with Kashchei, with Newbrook Diamond another to watch.

Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle 2.20
Seaniecon
I’m finding Jonjo & AJ O’Neills’ Seaniecon easy to back for this Pertemps qualifier, given some pretty leg-sapping conditions here on Saturday. Of course, seasoned Cheltenham campaigners like Gowel Road will always attract their supporters, but 12 stone to lump around here is going to take a mighty run, giving nearly a stone and a half to the selection. Dan Skelton has his yard sending out winners for fun just now, but this mark may defy Ace Of Spades on this softer going, so Kim Bailey’s Moon Rocket may prove to be a live contender given these conditions, and although his form took an alarming dip at the start of this year, he can go well fresh and has to make the shortlist. Seaniecon looked mighty progressive this year, so a chance is taken he takes to Cheltenham’s particular track, but has a big weight advantage and Jonjo O’Neill Jr. on his list of positives – big chance!

William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Chase 2.55
Katate Dori
One who won’t be minding the rain here at Cheltenham will be Sam Thomas’s Katate Dori, so still relatively unexposed over fences gets my vote. The blinkers are on, and that will help Dylan Johnston keep Katate Dori switched off, concentrating on some good fencing, which may have been an issue at times, while the rest of the field can compete for the lead and then the stamina can come into play late, with Cheltenham’s stiff finish likely sorting out the “men from the boys” in these tiring conditions. Dan Skelton’s yard is in tip-top shape, but Here Comes Georgie has to prove his stamina, so Diamond Dealer might be the one to keep tabs on, but Katate Dori is my pick.

Masterson Holdings Hurdle 3.30
Lord Byron
I would think that it is Faye Bramley’s Lord Byron that is the one they all have to beat here, with Adrian Keatley’s Indian River and Dan Skelton’s North Shore also respected. I did have high hopes last season for Harry Derham’s One Horse Town, and Jane Williams’ La Luna Artista has undoubted talent in an ever lengthening shortlist! But One Horse Town, Lord Byron and La Luna Artista could not stay with Dan Skelton’s Maestro Conti in the Triumph Hurdle Trial here in January, but in the main event at the March Festival none had an answer to 50/1 winner Apolon De Charnie, with Maestro Conti second and the other three trailing behind. Yes, there’s plenty of form for that Festival trial and the JCB itself, and I’ve got Lord Byron as the one most likely to carry that forward and score here.

William Hill Price Boosts “Chasing Excellence” Novices’ Chase 4.05
Derryhassen Paddy
A fascinating Novices’ Chase for me, where the hat-trick seeking Butch Cassidy and Derryhassen Paddy both have strong claims. I’ll admit, I’m tempted by the latter here, given that Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamores’ Derryhassen Paddy is totally unexposed as a Novice Chaser, and at this trip, with hurdling form on soft ground and no stamina concerns, while Butch Cassidy needs to show me he can win on ground with this much cut. Anthony Honeyball’s Catchintsavo makes his Chasing debut, but overall I do think Derryhassen Paddy is the one to beat.

Doncaster

William Hill Futurity Trophy Stakes (Group 1) (No Geldings) 1.30
Noble Exhibit (nap)
Right then yall, here we go for the Futurity at Doncaster, and that’s gotta get extra coverage on Saturday now that Newbury’s card has gone with the wind to Storm Austen! So, it’s gonna be all about the ground here in South Yorkshire too, and a bit of a funny old posting for me up here, while The Boss, who comes from these parts, is down at Cheltenham! But, back to business! Caroline always rates the Beresford Stakes highly for the late season two year olds, so the way that Noble Exhibit won that Group 2 at the Curragh last time out gave notice of this Frankel colt’s ability. But, only tried on good ground, Noble Exhibit needs to show he can do it over here, and on soft ground, so it could be a closer Group One than we think with Karl Burke’s Burning Up in the Stall next door, and with winning form on going with cut. It’s always a bit of an advantage to be on this stand side when there’s a big field, but there’s only the seven here, so that might not be such a pull. Right over the other side of the Stalls is Charlie Appleby’s Al Hudaiba, who could be going to the Breeders’ Cup next week, and these are my three. Yup, Aidan O’Brien continues to fire in the winners, so Noble Exhibit gets my vote, ahead of his more experienced stablemate, Sergei Diaghilev, and Karl Burke’s Burning Up.

William Hill Remembering Sue Wright Prospect Stakes (Listed) 2.05
Bengal Tiger (nb)
Won’t come as a surprise that Bengal Tiger is a hot favourite for this Listed Prospect Stakes, and I reckon that’s justified. But, he is very short despite having winning form on soft ground at Naas last time out, though there was lots to like about the way he went about his business. Drawn on the inside, as he was at Naas, there might not be the advantage that the milers get here at Doncaster, but I do think Bengal Tiger is the one to beat. I kinda guess that Richard Fahey’s Crystal Queen would be the big danger from Stall 2, with soft ground a big plus, and although Paddy Twomey’s Hi Corbett Court looks a bit short in price to me, this Starman colt has been been brought over for a purpose so gets on my list. If all eight start, and those risky each-way punts are your bag, do have a look at Ed Bethell’s Rogue Jewel, but it’s Bengal Tiger for the win, for me. Could be a nice strategy bet in there with all I’ve mentioned, if ya know what I mean!!