The Mandarin’s & Caroline’s Sunday Selections for 18th January 2026

The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections from Windsor & Caroline’s Sunday Selections from Thurles

Windsor

TDJ Williams Waste Limited Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle 12.20
Lau And Shaz
One thinks this is a tricky little opener, but Kayley Woollacott has booked Harry Cobden for the ride, and this just edges it for me. It helps that Lau And Shaz won on Boxing Day at Wincanton, so lines up here race fit, though I’ll take it on trust that the soft ground will suit. Dan Skelton’s Getawhisky rates the obvious danger, if staying on her feet this time, but she showed me enough at Ascot in a decent race to suggest she’ll be the one to beat. Anariza for Tom Ellis completes my three, but I can see Lau And Shaz taking Getawhisky on to cause the upset.

LSL Racing Auctions Hampton Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) 1.20
Salver (nap)
This looks a markedly easier task than the Kauto Star when we last saw Salver in that Grade One on Boxing Day, and I’ll back Gary & Josh Moore’s young chaser to win. Proven in this grade after scoring in the Esher Novices’ Chase at Sandown Park last month, he’s definitely appreciated this step up in trip, and won’t be minding this softer ground. That said, this is a pretty competitive contest, with Olly Murphy’s Wade Out and Kim Bailey’s Moon Rocket both having their fans, while if Nicky Henderson’s Jeriko Du Reponet gets it all together over fences, he can factor too. All in all, a very good race this, but a rejuvenated Cisswood Stables has the key in Salver, with Wade Out the one to make him work for it.

Fitzdares Extra Places Every Day Great Park Handicap Chase 1.50
Highlands Legacy
This looks a wide open Handicap Chase, but I’m going to go with Jonjo & AJ O’Neill’s Highlands Legacy. Over this sharp two mile trip, a prominent position is likely to pay dividends, and with stamina not in question, that looks a good race plan for Jonjo O’Neill Jr. Dan Skelton’s Mirabad gives 11lbs to Highlands Legacy, but looks the main threat with Warren Greatrex’s Mighty Bandit also in the mix.

Weatherbys Racing Bank Handicap Hurdle 2.25
Lud’or
Tom Symonds holds the key to this Handicap Hurdle with Lud’or according to my form book, but this is another wide open contest. I’ll have to include Nicky Richards’ Nab Wood in my shortlist, and considering the red hot form of Sean Bowen and Olly Murphy, Kap Boy deserves more than a mention. Emma Lavelle’s Royal Rambler shouldn’t be far away either, but Lud’or looks value for the win.

Fitzdares Fleur de Lys Chase 3.00
Protektorat
Last year’s winner Protektorat can defend the title here with the course, the ground and the opposition all in his favour, so I’m expecting a big run. Dan Skelton’s brilliant veteran has mixed it at the very top level in a glittering career, and showed at Cheltenham in last November’s Autumn meeting that a trip over 3 miles is still on his radar, so with ground that has plenty of give I am confident he can see this one home in front. Ben Pauling can’t do much wrong with his chasers over this Winter, so Scilly Isles Chase winner Handstands has to be on any shortlist, though giving Protektorat 8lbs does ask a question. I think Protektorat should be good enough to see off Handstands, with a forecast tempting me, but Ben Pauling has his fencing string in very good order this season, so bear that in mind.

Thurles

Carey Glass Irish EBF Mares Novice Chase (Grade 2) 2.15
Jade De Grugy
Well now, it will be no surprise that I’m telling you that Jade De Grugy is winning this. I know that she’s yet to win over fences, but has come up against some smart ones, especially Henry de Bromhead’s The Big Westerner, who I was pleased to nap for you all the last day. Before then, it was Kala Conti that ran away with the Beginners Chase at Cork, but I’m of the opinion that this is her chance to come home first over fences, with less depth in this field. Not much of a return for your money, but Willie Mullins has his yard hitting peak form, and I’d expect Jade De Grugy to be take this.

Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase (Grade 2) 3.20
Appreciate It (nb)
It seems an age and some since Appreciate It won the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in 2021, but here he still is and can win the Horse And Jockey Hotel Chase now. Now, he does have to give weight away to three of his stablemates, but then there’s only one other trainer, Jack Foley sending out Monbeg Park for this Grade 2, with all the other four under Willie Mullins stewardship. Appreciate It to win this, with Gentleman De Mee probably the one to make a race of it.