The Mandarin ‘s & Caroline’s Saturday Selections for 21st March 2026

The Mandarin’s Saturday Selections from Newbury & Caroline’s Picks from Navan

Newbury Park

Castle Windows Newbury Anniversary Novices’ Hurdle 1.15
Lisbane Park
I will take a chance on Joe Tizzard’s Lisbane Park for the opener here at Newbury Park. Looking back at his Cheltenham run in December, where he was fourth to Old Park Star with Kingston Queen in third, that’s a pretty strong line of form, with Old Park Star winning the Supreme Novices at the Cheltenham Festival and Kingston Queen mid-division in the Grade 2 Mares’ Hurdle. Koktail Bleu sets a good standard with a latest second in the Dovecote at Kempton Park, but I’ll chance my arm with Lisbane Park under Harry Cobden.

Get Best odds Guaranteed At BetVictor Novices’ Handicap Hurdle 1.50
Thewoodcorner
An open contest, but Thewoodcorner should have a fine chance at these weights under Sam Twiston-Davies. Neil King’s Storming George was last seen down the field in the Dovecote at Kempton Park, so is swimming in shallower waters here, but Thewoodcorner gets well over a stone and a half from him, and that is a significant amount for this Handicap. Paul Nicholls Grand Vendetta won at Taunton on just his second start over timber, so rates a danger, while Jamie Snowden’s Fresh Perspective is eased in grade from the Sidney Banks and also enters calculations. Thewoodcorner to make the most of his featherweight mark to land this Novices’ Handicap.

BetVictor Home Of The Saturday Superboost Handicap Chase 2.25
Heltenham (nap)
The 2023 & 2024 winner Heltenham marked a return to form when landing the Greatwood Gold Cup here last month, and can go in again. Considering Heltenham’s remarkable record here at Newbury, where he has only been out of the top two once in six starts, winning four, he does look a worthy favourite. He gets a couple of pounds from Paul Nicholls Knappers Hill, who didn’t really like the heavy ground in a Veterans’ Chase at Warwick last time out, but the in form Prairie Wolf might prove the main danger after winning at Newcastle. Horses for courses as they say, so Heltenham it is.

BetVictor British EBF “National Hunt” Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Limited Handicap) (Grade 2) 3.00
Charisma Cat
I’m going to take a chance on Alan King’s Charisma cat for the feature, and I’m basing that on her run here back in November. No match for Jamie Snowden’s La Conquiere that day, but any repeat of that run should put her right into the mix, despite carrying top weight. I suppose that Nicky Henderson’s Fresh As A Daisy and Dan Skelton’s Getawhisky would be ones to keep your eye on, with both in receipt of weight from the selection, and this should be quite a close contest. Charisma Cat to weave her charm and be too classy for these, I hope!

Goffs Hundred Grand Bumper (An Open national Hunt Flat Race) 3.35
Diamond Street
There was plenty to like about Diamond Street’s debut run at Doncaster, he seemed to know his business on some pretty deep ground. I reckon that he’ll come on leaps and bounds from that run on this better surface, so does look the one to side with. Nicky Henderson’s filly, Madam Speaker also looked to have a bit about her when second at Wincanton on her debut under rules, and Harry Derham’s Lover Desbois lines up fresh from a win at Kempton so probably rates the main threat. Diamond Street to put it all together again under another patient ride from Harry Skelton.

Navan

Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Hurdle 3.07
Santo Sospir (nb)
Well now, this really should be between the two Gordon Elliott runners, Santo Sospir and Kalypso’chance. It’s Santo Sospir that I am going to side with, and with Jack Kennedy on, this should be an easier task than the Grade One Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown the last day. That said, Kalypso’chance does seem to like it here at Navan, as he is two from two, and Josh Williamson’s 5lb claim does something to offset the weight he gives Santo Sospir, so not too much to choose between them. I’d expect Andrew Slattery’s Timesareachanging to be involved given the conditions, but Santo Sospir should have the class to be winning this.

Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Handicap Chase Final (Listed) 4.17
Rokathir
A very nice little contest for this Listed race, but I do think that Rokathir is the one to beat from top weight. Henry de Bromhead’s chaser is on a hat-trick after winning here and at Fairyhouse, and for me has the conditions now to make it three in a row. But, after saying that, I do think that Jonathan Sweeney’s Showurappreciation will prove to be a tough opponent and will also like this deep ground. Now, Magic McColgan has yet to score over fences, but the way Willie Mullins had his yard firing at Cheltenham just last week means I have to include him on my shortlist, with the longer trip considered a plus. Rokathir to bring up the hat-trick, with Showurappreciation making it a decent contest.