The Mandarin’s Saturday Selections for 15th February 2025

The Mandarin’s Saturday Selections from Ascot, Haydock Park, Wincanton & Gowran Park

Ascot

Ebony Horse Club Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) 1.50
Jingko Blue
The first of the Graded races on Ascot’s Saturday card can go to Jingko Blue, as Nicky Henderson’s Chaser looks to make it three from three. Decent enough over timber, but has improved heaps this term sent fencing, and has to be the one to beat for this Grade 2 contest. He’s already scored at this level, in the Hampton Court Novices’ Chase at Windsor, clear of the re-opposing Lowry’s Bar, after that rival clattered three out and gave Jingko Blue the advantage. Hard to oppose for the in-form Seven Barrows yard.

Betfair Swinley Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 3.00
Victtorino (nb)
Horses for courses here as Victtorino looks to make it four from five around Ascot. Venetia Williams’s charge won the Silver Cup over course and distance in December, to back up a fine third in the Hennessey at Newbury the month before, and has every chance of going in again, despite the 3lb rise. Having said that, there are plenty of dangers, not least Jonjo O’Neill & AJ O’Neills’ Hasthing, who looks for a seasonal hat-trick after a brace of wins at Windsor, while Dan Skelton’s Snipe is well weighted and in decent nick. Last year’s winner, Paul Nicholls’ Threeunderthrufive, and Nicky Henderson’s Wiseguy have place claims at the least, but Victtorino is the one to beat.

Betfair Ascot Chase (Grade 1) 3.37
Pic D’orhy (nap)
Ascot specialist Pic D’orhy can score for Paul Nicholls once again at the track he does so well on, but Venetia Williams’ L’homme Presse will make it a terrific race. Throw in Irish raider Corbetts Cross, and this is a Grade One race worthy of this valuable prize. We gave L’homme Presse for the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham three weeks back, and he duly obliged, but that was a tough Grade 2 assignment and it’s taken on trust that he’s fully recovered. In contrast, Pic D’orhy has been laid out for this race, so lines up as an obvious favourite, while Corbetts Cross might just find this a bit on the sharp side on ground that is probably quicker than ideal. A good contest in store, but Pic D’orhy is the one to follow.

Haydock Park

WKD Rendlesham Hurdle (Grade 2) 2.40
Beauport
Nigel Twiston-Davies holds the key to the Rendlesham with Beauport, who looks sure to be sent off at the top of the betting. His one and a half length third to Crambo, in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot is the standout piece of form here, having led over the last, before being collared up Ascot’s stiff finish on ground with plenty of cut in it. Botox Has took this race last year, though on deeper going, but going to post with a solid third in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham last month has to be considered. Kerry Lee’s hat-trick seeking Nemean Lion completes the shortlist, but Beauport gets the nudge.

Oddschecker Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 3.15
Royale Pagaille
It could pay to side with Royale Pagaille for this marathon Grand National Trial. With a bit of rain around on Merseyside, conditions could play into Royale Pagaille’s hands, and his superb record around here warrants him the utmost respect, especially after landing a second Betfair Chase here in November. Last seen pulling up in the Peter Marsh after a race-ending mistake at the thirteenth, Sean Bowen takes up the reins as regular partner Charlie Deutsch is engaged at Ascot, and with a clear round of fencing every chance of Royale Pagaille defying top-weight, and adding to his Haydock tally. Irish raider Yeah Man rates the main danger, but Royale Pagaille saves his best for this track and has every chance.

Albert Bartlett Prestige Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 3.50
Moon Rocket
This Grade 2 Novices’ Hurdle can go to Kim Bailey with Moon Rocket, who was unlucky not to win at Doncaster three weeks ago. Broadsided two out before a mistake at the last and then pushed out left on the run-in by the winner, Yellow Car, he probably deserves a bit of better luck to make three from four over timber. Plenty of money has been coming in for Lucinda Russell’s Darryhassen Paddy this week, and one of this pair look likely to take this prize.

Wincanton

BetMGM Kingwell Hurdle (Grade 2) 1.36
Burdett Road
James Owen has been going great guns this season, and Burdett Road is one right out of the top drawer for this young trainer going places. That said, it’s a competitive enough race for the grade, with Jeremy Scott’s smart mare Golden Ace getting plenty of weight from the selection, and she’s taken to make a strong bid for this round Wincanton’s flattish track, with the drop back in trip a plus. Burdett Road though is highly touted for some bigger dates in the future, so gets the vote in a fascinating clash.

Gowran Park

Red Mills Trial Hurdle (Grade 3) 1.55
Sir Gerhard
Maybe not the force of old, but Sir Gerhard is a dual Cheltenham Grade One winner, and might just still have enough class to beat the young pretender Kitzbuhel. Sir Gerhard’s stablemate, Kitzbuhel, was pretty impressive on his first run on Irish soil, and is the choice of Paul Townend, but the selection won’t be minding this ground and might just have enough to beat the jolly. Sir Gerhard to go in at the expense of Kitzbuhel.

Red Mills Chase (Grade 2) 3.05
Saint Sam
Disappointingly just the three lining up up for this Grade 2, but Saint Sam looks easy to back. Journey With Me is useful, but with Henry de Bromhead’s yard struggling to find winners, and the selection’s stablemate Classic Getaway possibly stretched at this level, Saint Sam has to be the one to back.

The Mandarin