The Mandarin’s Saturday Selections for 14th December 2024

The Mandarin’s Saturday selections from Cheltenham, Doncaster & Fairyhouse

Cheltenham

JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle 12.10
Lavender Hill Mob
James Owen has been going great guns with his youngsters, so it’s no surprise to see Lavender Hill Mob topping the ante-post markets this week. Although he couldn’t stay with Inappropriate in his first try over timber at Newcastle last month, he finished well enough to snatch second place, and with a repeat of that should have a bit more to give up Cheltenham’s stiff finish. Stablemate Ambiente Amigo didn’t seem to act on soft when fading late at Newbury, so it could be Warren Greatrex’s Quantock Hills that rates the main danger. With flat form on heavy, and Sam Twiston-Davies up top, Lavender Hill Mob looks the one to keep on side.

Josh Wyke Birthday Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase 12.40
Peaky Boy (nap)
Three from three around Prestbury Park, so it’s horses for courses here with Nicky Henderson’s Peaky Boy sure to be well supported. That said, Neil Mulholland’s Transmission won over this trip at the Autumn Festival, and in receipt of 7lbs from the selection could make a race of it, with Kim Bailey’s Destroytheevidence also likely to be involved. Peaky Boy to take to this new trip, and make it a course four-timer.

Quintessentially Mares’ Handicap Chase 1.13
Coco Mademoiselle
With Dan Skelton in such fine form here at the Autumn Festival, a chance is taken on Coco Mademoiselle to keep the good run going. She had a bit of a bumpy ride when losing out by a head to Stuart Edmunds Hometown Boy at Chepstow in September, not so clean over the second and third last, before being broadsided by Hometown Boy in a scrap to the line. Irish raider Theonewedreamof has to be here for good reason for Gavin Cromwell, while Lucy Wadham’s Game On For Glory has run well here before and completes the shortlist. Coco Mademoiselle to keep the winning streak going for the Skelton team here at Headquarters.

Nyetimber December Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 1.50
Ga Law
Paul Nicholls is double-handed with Stage Star and Il Ridoto lining up for this Premier Handicap Chase. Of course, Richard Hobson’s Fugitif won this last year, just a short head in front of Il Rodoto, and that rival scored here over course and distance at the Festival last month, but now lines up under a penalty and has a stiffer task on his hands. With Jamie Snowden’s Ga Law also in the mix it looks a pretty hot handicap, but Ga Law can exact revenge on Il Ridoto from their November clash with a big pull in the weights.

Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 3.00
Western Knight (nb)
There’s been plenty of support for Jennie Candlish’s Skyjack Hijack, who has been on a remarkable run, winning six on the bounce since August. However, those wins have all come on flatter tracks than Cheltenham, so we’ll take the chance that he can be opposed, and the one that sticks out is Joe Tizzard’s Western Knight, who looks the one to take him on. Last seen in a right ding-dong with Nicky Henderson’s Excello at Ascot, the grit that he showed up the Berkshire track’s stiff finish should serve him well here when push comes to shove. Kim Bailey’s Clondaw General won with a bit in hand at Worcester last time out, so completes the shortlist, but Western Knight gets the nudge on this course.

BetMGM Mares’ Handicap Hurdle 3.35
Take No Chances
We’ll take a chance on Take No Chances, who drops his sights in this Mares’ Handicap Hurdle. Last seen chasing home the impressive Sir Gino in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle last time out, this puts a whole lot less on her plate for the in-form Skelton team, and she can defy top-weight to score here. Nicky Henderson’s Joyeuse and James Owen’s Sweet Fantasy both make plenty of appeal, with form on soft ground a definite plus point, but Take No Chances won a Listed contest at Wetherby by 10 lengths before that Grade 1 assignment last time out, so swims in calmer waters here.

Doncaster

bet365 Novices’ Hurdle 11.55
Horaces Pearl
Three Bumper wins and a 6 length scorer on his first try over timber gives Fergal O’Brien’s Horaces Pearl all the bragging rights for this Novices’ Hurdle. The Grade 2 win at Aintree’s Spring Festival stands out in the form book, just about 3 lengths ahead of the useful Valgrand, and with Doncaster’s flattish track sure to play to his strengths, Horaces Pearl looks the one to keep on side. This looks a weakish affair for the grade, so Horaces Pearl should be on the spot at a precious price.

bet365 Doncaster Mares’ Hurdle (Listed) 2.40
Ottizzini
Stuart Crawford’s Sea Moon mare did everything but win over course and distance back in May, and is taken to go one better here. An impressive 9 length winner at Ayr on her seasonal reappearance last month, she might have found the Stayers’ Premier Handicap at Haydock Park on desperate ground coming too soon. Dan Skelton’s West Balboa has her ground here, though hasn’t looked the force of old so far this term, while Gale Mahler is undoubtedly talented but tries this trip for the first time. That’s the three, but gamble taken on Ottizzini at a tempting price.

Fairyhouse

Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase 11.30
Majborough
After landing the Supreme Novices’ at the Cheltenham Festival in March, Majborough’s return to the track has been eagerly anticipated. Connections have wasted no time in sending him chasing, so there’s clearly lots of confidence about his ability, and this makes for a fascinating clash with stablemate Tullyhill, who always looked a chaser in the making when bolting up in a Listed Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival. Be sure that Willie Mullins will have his string in tip-top order for the Leopardstown meeting at Foxrock, starting on St Stephen’s Day, so Majborough gets the vote.

The Mandarin