The Mandarin’s & Koby’s Sunday Selections for March 1st 2026

The Mandarin’s & Koby’s Sunday Selections from Huntingdon & Sha Tin

Sha Tin

The Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (Group 1) 07.35
Romantic Warrior/Voyage Bubble (nap) (straight forecast/Voyage Bubble to place/show)
Hey Yall, Koby here back from Meydan on the red-eye. And what a race to return to Sha Tin for – the Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup. Back here for Romantic Warrior and Voyage Bubble, to see who’s top of the pops now they take each other on back at the 10 furlong trip, and what a race this is gonna be! Man, this is going to be immense! Last time these two tried to beat each other up over this trip, in the Jockey Club Cup back in November, well hey Voyage Bubble came from the outer to get a rip on Romantic Warrior, but couldn’t stay with the four-time Cup Champion as he revved it up in the final two quarters. Enough speed to win the Stewards’ Cup here last time out, setting a 22.22 in the second quarter to leave Voyage Bubble gasping for breath. No shit man, Romantic Warrior has always been the cream of the crop over the 10, but that last Group One showed he can still cut it at the mile. JC always rated Romantic Warrior one of the very best, and even though Charlie Shum did say he’s as good as he’s ever going to be this season, that’s pretty damn good, huh? But just like Helios Express taking on Ka Ying Rising last week man, gotta skew the favourite and take the place or the show on the Voyage Bubble, so with no Asian Hornets like Bellagio Opera around this time, that has to be the nailed on bet. I thought he’d beat Romantic Warrior over a mile last time, but hey he couldn’t, and I stand corrected, so Romantic Warrior’s winning this with Voyage Bubble in behind!

Huntingdon

First Past The Post At CopyBet “National Hunt” Maiden Hurdle 2.15
Zamek
I will say that Olly Murphy’s Zamek would be the one to follow here, with plenty to prove for the rest of the field. The advantage of racecourse experience, plus any performance edge eked out by the wind op back in January give the grey plus ticks in my form book, though subsequent withdrawals from his last two engagements does ask a question. However, this doesn’t look the strongest race for the grade, with Nicky Henderson’s Caspari the obvious danger if settling better than on his debut under rules at Ludlow. Zamek to shed the maiden tag at the fourth time of asking.

The CopyBet John Bigg ‘Oxo’ Handicap Chase 2.45
Icare Grandchamp
Gary & Josh Moore have the answer to this with Icare Grandchamp, who can double up on the win at Plumpton three weeks ago. I was impressed Icare Granchamp’s second to Donald Mccain Jr’s Throatlash at Haydock Park the last time out, and might have gone closer if it were not for Henrietta Knight’s Southoftheborder not jumping left two out and rather impacting on his chances. From the bottom of the weights, Icare Grandchamp wouldn’t have to improve too much to make a winning return stepping back up in grade, so gets my vote ahead of Dylan Cunha’s consistent Mahons Glory.

Safer Gambling at CopyBet Handicap Chase 3.15
Diamond De Vindecy (nb)
Robert Bevis’s Diamond De Vindecy can take this Handicap Chase upped in trip, with Johnny Burke able to make the most of his staying flat form to see this one out. A creditable enough second on his first stab over fences at Catterick, behind Sandy Thomson’s favourite Marty Mcfly, where he was just a tad outpaced in the final mile, Diamond De Vindecy finished well, giving notice that a longer trip will suit. Just the five lining up, with Caroline Fryer’s Cloudy Wednesday back after a break likely to make a race of it, but Diamond De Vindecy should relish this longer trip so gets the nudge.

Best Odds Guaranteed Overnight At CopyBet Open National Hunt Flat Race 4.45
Milpat
I really like the appeal of French import Milpat for the Bumper to close Huntingdon’s Sunday card. Obviously the weight for age allowance counted for something when winning over course and distance on his stable debut for Jamie Snowden, but Milpat won that rather cosily and could well make it two from two here at Huntingdon. Conditions will be much the same and this is possibly not the strongest field he’ll ever face. Kim Bailey’s Hidden Mountain rates the clear threat, but I’ll take Milpat to defy the 7lb penalty for the last win and score again.

The Mandarin