The Mandarin’s Saturday Selections for 17th August 2024

The Mandarin’s Saturday Selections from The Curragh, Newbury & Deauville

The Curragh

Qatar Racing And Equestrian Club Irish EBF Juvenile Sprint Stakes (Listed) 1.45
Saratoga Special
Jessica Harrington’s Mehmas filly showed enough promise on her debut run at Naas to get the nod for this Listed contest. Although she was eventually beaten by the re-opposing Treasure Isle in that 5 furlong dash, with similar ground expected here at headquarters, she should be bang on the money once more. The consistent Shamrock Breeze rates the main danger after a decent runners-up spot at Deauville two weeks back, and as Treasure Isle seemed to hit a bit of a flat spot after his Naas run, Saratoga Special is the one to keep on side

Shoda Market Cafe Royal Whip Stakes (Group 3) 4.00
Continuous
It’s very hard to ignore the appeal of Aidan O’Brien’s St Leger winner, Continuous, for this Group 3. Returned to action this term in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot, this Japanese sired colt did look in need of the run when a six length fifth favourite, but can only strip fitter for that run, and drops in grade here. With not much bang for your buck to take on this Classic winner, both Tarawa and Trustyourinstinct look super each way value, and not a bad punt for the Tricast either. Continuous to get back to winning ways, with Tarawa and Trustyourinstinct to chase him home

Newbury

BetVictor Geoffrey Freer Stakes (Group 3) 1.50
Al Qareem
Just the five lining up for this Group 3, but a fascinating race all the same. On paper, this is surely a face-off between old rivals Al Aasy and Al Qareem, with our marginal preference for Al Qareem. Karl Burke is right at the top of his game this season, with Classic glory nailed up on his Winners Board, so Al Qareem can serve it up to Al Aasy once again. William Haggas’s charge, Al Aasy, does get a negative point in the final appraisal for not finding too much for pressure when push comes to shove, so with his win in the Glorious Stakes at Goodwood just two weeks ago, it’s tempting to back the race-hardened Al Qareem. That’s our playbook, so Al Qareem to spring the surprise on the jolly. Forecast bet a side option

BetVictor Hungerford Stakes (Group 2) 3.35
Kikkuli (nb)
Harry Charlton holds the key to this with Kikkuli, who gets a 5lb weight for age allowance over Ed Walker’s English Oak. This pair will be right at the head of the betting, with William Haggas’s River Tiber and last year’s winner, Richard Hannon’s Witch Hunter completing the shortlist. However, one of only two three year olds in this Group 3, Kikkuli will find these calmer waters than the Prix Jean Prat when last seen, and Oisin Murphy can get a good tune out of his Kingman colt, much as he did when runner-up in the Jersey Stakes at Ascot’s Royal meeting, where we gave him as the value each-way angle. Better than that now, and likely to beat older horses in this grade, so Kikkuli gets the nudge.

Deauville

Prix du Calvados (Group 2) (Fillies) 2.50
Fraise Des Bois
The progressive and unbeaten Fraise Des Bois can land this Fillies’ Group 2 for Jean-Claude Rouget. Impressive enough when storming home by 7 lengths in a Listed contest at La Teste De Buch last month, she should have enough to beat Ollie Sangster’s Simmering, who took a Group 3 under Ryan Moore at Ascot three weeks ago. Irish raider Va Va Vroom also makes the shortlist in what should be a good heads-up for the Fillies’ Classics next year. Fraise Des Bois to edge it over Simmering, with Va Va Vroom the outside chance

Prix de Pomone (Group 2) (Fillies & Mares) 3.25
Aventure (nap)
With the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe just over seven weeks away, this is one of the leading races to follow in the countdown to Europe’s richest race. It is Christophe Ferland’s Aventure that is sure to top the tables for this Group 2, and right off the back of a fine fourth in the Group 1 Prix de Diane, where she led at the 200 metre mark, can prove her form against older types here. British raider One Evening is lightly raced for John & Thady Gosden, and has to be highly rated with an entry in the Fillies & Mares Stakes on Ascot’s Champions’ Day, while Andre Fabre’s Ottery is a smart type. Aventure to score, with a supplementary entry to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe surely open to connections

The Mandarin