The Mandarin’s Ebor Festival Racecard for Friday 23rd August 2024

The Mandarin’s Ebor Festival Racecard for Friday August 23rd

Sky Bet Handicap (Heritage Handicap) 1.50
Lieber Power
Andrew Balding can land Friday’s opener with Lieber Power. This Cracksman gelding has has a fine season so far, and has notched up two wins and two runners-up spots in his last four starts. He won an Apprentice Handicap over course and distance last month under Callum Hutchinson, and can take this step up in class with Oisin Murphy in the driver’s seat. The hat-trick seeking Grey Cuban and Roger Varian’s Shadow Dance should both be in the mix, while the unexposed Mr Monaco is a danger if seeing out this trip

Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup Stakes (Group 2) 2.25
Point Lonsdale (nap)
A cracking renewal where a marginal preference goes to Aidan O’Brien’s Point Lonsdale. This trip can bring out further progress upped to two miles, and tactically he should benefit from the run of this race. Hughie Morrison’s Quickthorn likes to get on with things from the front, so can give Point Lonsdale a nice lead in, while Willie Mullins’s Vauban is a smart dual code performer that would also like a truly run race. Goodwood Cup third, Gregory, is sure to be on the premises, and this completes the shortlist. Point Lonsdale to improve for this new trip, and take the Cup back to Ireland

Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2) (Colts & Geldings) 3.00
Andesite
A fiercely competitive Gimcrack where there are lots to make a case for, but Karl Burke’s Andesite just edges it. This Pinatubo colt has lots of speed in the breeding, so coming out of Stall 3, with Eve Johnson Houghton’s Billboard Star on one side, and Mick Appleby’s Big Mojo on the other, plenty of pace from the quicker part of the Knavesmire this week. The Strikin Viking has been highly touted, now in the Wathnan Racing silks under James Doyle, and is sure to be in the mix for his new yard, but coming out of Stall 10 gives him more to do, while Charlie Appleby’s Shadow Of Light looks for an unbeaten hat-trick here. Aidan O’Brien’s Camille Pissarro is going to win at Pattern level soon enough, but today is Andesite’s day

Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes (Group 1) 3.35
Bradsell (nb)
A brilliant renewal where Henry Dwyer’s Australian raider, Asfoora, and Mick Appleby’s Big Evs go for the bragging rights with the score one apiece. The King Charles III Stakes went to Henry Dwyer’s smart sprinter, over here for the summer, while Big Evs evened up in the King George at Goodwood. However, they both have less than ideal wide draws for this 5 furlong dash, coming out of Stalls 8 & 14, so it may pay to side with Archie Watson’s Bradsell, with Hollie Doyle on the launchpad in the number 3 gate. He too, won one of the Royal Ascot Group One sprints, when it was still the King’s Stand in 2023, and has been aimed at this race since scoring in a Listed race at Deauville on his seasonal reappearance. George Boughey’s Believing is wider still, but should make the shake-up too, but Bradsell gets the nudge

Assured Data Protection EBF Fillies’ Handicap (Heritage Handicap) 4.10
Power Of Destiny
Sir Michael Stoute has one of his typically progressive types here in Power Of Destiny. Winning a Fillies’ maiden at Haydock Park back in June, she might have gone one better than her runners-up spot at Goodwood last time out, but for lacking room to make her charge, giving the re-opposing Al Anoud her opportunity. Andrew Balding’s Battle Queen rates a danger with Hayley Turner booked, but Power Of Destiny and Oisin Murphy should go close

British Stallion Studs EBF Convivial Maiden Stakes 4.45
Angelo Buonarroti
Amo Racing paid a seven figure sum for this Justify colt at the breeze ups, and his 3 length ninth of twenty-two in the Coventry Stakes at Ascot’s Royal meeting confirmed his promise. The latest progeny of the latest American Triple Crown winner are all going to fetch a pretty penny, after City Of Troy landed the Juddmonte International on Wednesday in fine style. Dropped back in to a Maiden here from that Group 2 assignment, and has to be one to keep onside, with William Haggas’s Realign the main danger

Sky Bet Mile Handicap (Heritage Handicap) 5.20
Mount Teide
The closer can go to Andrew Balding’s Mount Teide, who came on for the step up to a mile last time out at Newmarket. Making a bold bid from the front, this Too Darn Hot gelding can go in again with Oisin Murphy back in the saddle. Ed Bethell has his string in top condition, so the hat-trick seeking Paborus enters calculations, while Wathnan Racing’s Midnight Gun is sure to get plenty of support with jockey James Doyle in great form. Mount Teide to take the step un in class in his stride, with Midnight Gun to keep him honest for it

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