The Mandarin’s Saturday Selections for 12th April 2025

The Mandarin’s Saturday Selections from The Curragh & Newbury

The Curragh

Lodge Park Stud Irish EBF Park Express Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies & Mares) 3.25
Whirl
With Ryan Moore taking up the reins on Whirl, it’s safe to assume that she is the stable first string ahead of Ecstatic and Garden Of Eden. It could be that Whirl has more to fear from Karl Burke’s British raider, Bright Thunder, who will go well on this ground for the Spigot Lodge handler. Jessica Harrington’s Fleur De Chine and Ger Lyons Naomi Lapaglia complete the shortlist, but Whirl edges it.

Tote.ie Alleged Stakes (Group 3) 4.35
Jan Brueghel (nb)
The exciting and so far unbeaten Jan Brueghel can get his season off to winning start in this Group 3 contest. Last season ending a fine season with victory in the final Classic, the St Leger, in a ding-dong battle to the line against stablemate Illinois, this 10 furlong trip hopefully won’t be too sharp on Jan Brueghel’s return to action. There’s some big dates in the diary this summer, here and at Epsom, so this looks a good starting point for a big campaign. Stablemate Tower Of London, and the prolific Crystal Black from Gerard Keane’s yard rate the obvious dangers, but Jan Brueghel’s an impressive sight in full flow, so can go in under Ryan Moore.

Newbury

Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes (Group 3) 1.25
Bellum Justum
Last seen winning the Nashville Derby at Kentucky, Bellum Justum signed off a very lucrative season with that big prize. There’s been a bit of money down for David Menuisier’s Sunway, who plied his trade at the top table more than once last year, but first time up this term means he can be opposed. The good ground can play into Bellum Justum’s strengths, while Sunway might be in need of the run, and some cut in the ground wouldn’t go amiss. Charlie Appleby’s Ancient Wisdom might also find this ground quicker than ideal, so Andrew Balding’s second string, Divina Grace, can be the best of the rest.

Dubai Duty Free Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies) 2.00
Simmering (nap)
It’s hard to get away from the appeal of Ollie Sangster’s Simmering for the Fred Darling, as it is better known. Of course, Charlie Appleby’s Mountain Breeze scooped the Jumeirah 1,000 Guineas at Meydan last month, so lines up race fit, but Simmering should have too much class to get beaten on her first run of this season. Harry Eustace’s Time For Sandals gets her weather, so to speak, and a fine neck second to Ed Walker’s Celandine, in the Group 2 Lowther Stakes at York last year is a standout piece of form, while Andrew Balding’s Formal completes the list of possibles, with Oisin Murphy in the hot seat. Simmering to come to the boil in the Fred Darling.

Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes (Group 3) (Colts & Geldings) 2.35
Rashabar
Unfancied when sent off at 80/1 in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, but produced a brilliant run in the far side group to take that Group 2. He followed that up with a fine second in the Prix Morny at Deauville, in one of Europe’s foremost two year old sprints, and filled the same position in the Jean-Luc Lagardere to end a top class campaign. If Rashabar has trained on, then he’ll be shortening his odds for the 2,000 Guineas next month with a win here, as John & Thady Gosden’s Chancellor looks to be the main danger. Charlie Appleby’s Al Qudra was in fifth in that Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot last season, though does line up here fresh from a win at Doha, so these are the three, with Rashabar getting the nudge.

OLBG Spring Cup Handicap 3.12
Silver Sword
A chance is taken on last time out Meydan winner Silver Sword, who has the notable booking of Jamie Spencer to see him round. Silver Sword has a decent draw in Stall 4, so Dylan Cunha’s grey can be be given a patient ride, before Jamie Spencer makes a late run well into the home straight in his usual classic style. Plenty of likely types here, not least Ed Bethell’s James Mchenry, who has William Buick up top, and Jack Channon’s Urban Lion, while Richard Hannon’s Classic has James Doyle for company. Silver Sword to keep up the winning thread on ground to suit.

The Mandarin