The Mandarin’s and Jaysella’s Saturday Selections for 14th February 2026

The Mandarin’s Saturday Selections from Ascot & Haydock Park and Jaysella’s Wincanton Selections

Ascot

Injured Jockeys Fund Ambassadors Programme Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) 1.50
The Jukebox Kid
Given the ground here at Ascot, which is going to be pretty deep, I’ve no doubt that Ben Pauling’s The Jukebox Kid is the one to follow. I do see that Philip Hobbs & Johnson White’s Thomas Mor has attracted plenty of followers in the markets this week, but his record on soft ground doesn’t really stand up to scrutiny. Joe Tizzard’s Western Knight might prove the bigger danger, and could well take things on from the front in search of the hat-trick, as he did at Haydock Park back in December, but that could play into Ben Jones’ hands as he waits in the wings for this 3 mile trip on deep ground to take its toll. The Jukebox Kid to continue the great run for Ben Pauling and Ben Jones.

Betfair Swinley Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 3.00
Nocte Volatus
No fly by night is Nocte Volatus, and I think he’s the one that can cope with these conditions and land this Premier Handicap! Tom Lacey’s veteran is proving to be better than ever this term, with wins at Warwick and Sandown Park setting him up for the hat-trick. Nudged up another 2lbs for that latest win, this still looks a workable mark, and he’s definitely one for your each-way perm if that’s your strategy, but could even go on to nab the hat-trick. Stablemate Montregard and Jonjo & AJ O’Neill’s Jipcot should all have a say, but I’ll take Nocte Volatus in his current mood.

Betfair Ascot Chase (Grade 1) 3.35
Jonbon
Not much value on offer for backing Jonbon for this Grade One, especially up against course specialist Pic D’ory, but I still think he’ll win. This soft ground isn’t ideal for 2024 & 2025 winner, Pic D’orhy, whereas Jonbon won’t be fussed in the slightest about this much cut, so it’s the old boy Edwardstone that might put up the biggest fight. It must be between these three, and although it’s dangerous to write off Pic D’ory around here, Jonbon edges it given the conditions in a decent renewal.

Haydock Park

ZYN Rendlesham Hurdle (Grade 2) 2.05
Kabral Du Mathan
The very exciting Kabral Du Mathan is making the journey up to Haydock Park for more graded honours, and it’ll be a braver punter than me that will back against him. Fresh from a New Year’s Day success at Cheltenham in the Relkeel Hurdle, this first try at a 3 mile trip is a fascinating move, as Dan Skelton toys with the prospect of having a Festival Stayers’ Hurdle winner in his yard, and to my mind there was so much left under the bonnet in that Cheltenham win, this trip on Haydock Park’s flatter track looks just the ticket. He does take on two in-form handicappers in Henri The Second and French Ship, who deserve their place in this line-up, with Henri The Second looking a big danger on this soft ground and French Ship likewise certainly able on going with cut. Questions to be answered here over how good Kabral Du Mathan can be, and I’d expect a typically patient ride from Harry Skelton given the new distance. Fascinating, can’t wait, frankly!

Albert Bartlett Prestige Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 2.40
Dalston Lad
If all goes to plan on Saturday, and Dalston Lad wins the Albert Bartlett, Dan Skelton’s going to have a smile as wide as the Bristol Channel! Joking aside, with Kabral Du Mathan and Dalston Lad going in the two 3 mile Hurdles on Haydock Park’s card, it could be a great afternoon for the Alcester yard, and I think there’s a damn good chance of brothers Dan & Harry pulling off that double. That said, where Kabral Du Mathan is a short odds-on favourite to score in the Rendlesham, things are not quite so clear cut for Dalston Lad. Olly Murphy’s Utatuba represents an in-form yard, while Sam Thomas’s Whiskey Yankee and Jamie Snowden’s Legendary Luke will relish this going and make my list. But, in the final analysis, Dalston Lad can make it a well-deserved double for the Skelton team.

William Hill Half A Mill Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 3.15
Rivers Corner
I might take a chance on the unexposed Rivers Corner for this Grand National Trial. Joe Tizzard’s progressive chaser does seem to have moved on this season, and hasn’t been far away in three runs before scoring at Wincanton, so with deep ground to suit, could make a bold bid from the front, as Haydock Park in deep ground can ask questions of those with unproven stamina. Myretown looks an obvious candidate, but probably lost the Peter Marsh here three out with a costly error last month, so has a reputation to resurrect from a big weight, while Richmond Lake seems too often the bridesmaid to have confidence in backing him for the win. Dan Skelton’s Deafening Silence completes my list, but I’ve a spidey sense that Rivers Corner might be the one!

Wincanton

BetMGM Agatha Christie Mares’ Novices’ Chase (Listed) 1.05
Bluey
Well, it’s no perplexing puzzle for me for this Agatha Christie Listed Mares’ Chase, which I say is a straight up showdown between Kilbarry Saint and Bluey. But Bluey’s winning this. I did have a little chat with Caroline over Con O’Keefe’s Kilbarry Saint, and I do appreciate that this is not the strongest Black Type contest to make the trip over from Ireland for, but I like the form line of Bluey, form that has been franked with my last Saturday’s selection, Hollygrove Cha Cha winning a Listed race at Windsor. This pair have bumped into one another more than once this winter, so I think that Bluey should have the edge over Kilbarry Saint on Saturday. Sorry Caroline, and I may regret saying this considering your tipster form just now, but it’s Bluey to make it a red letter day on, umm, a day when red envelopes might be just what you want?

BetMGM Kingwell Hurdle (Grade 2) 1.35
Rubaud
No Golden Ace for Jeremy Scott, who will now go straight to the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, but can Rubaud beat hot favourite Alexei to win the Kingwell? I think so, although both this pair would prefer better ground, that being the reason we’re not seeing Golden Ace lining up, but Paul Nicholls knows that Rubaud knows his way around here, so I’m counting on that to see him home. Alexei is a hot outside tip for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham next month, but I’m reckoning Rubaud will have his measure here in a bit of a battle.