The Mandarin’s Saturday Selections for 19th August 2023

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

The Curragh

Coolmore Stud Wootton Bassett Irish EBF Futurity Stakes (Group 2) 3.27
Henry Longfellow
It’s very hard to ignore the appeal of Ballydoyle’s Henry Longfellow for this Group 2 contest. Bred in the purple by Dubawi, and out of Group 1 winning mare, Minding, he’ll surely be stepping up in trip next year, but before then, has a couple of big dates in the diary. This should tee him up nicely for those Group 1’s, the Dewhurst and the National Stakes here at Headquarters, so the one to beat at a price to match

Alpha Centauri Debutante Stakes (Group 2) 4.00
Pearls And Rubies
She was just edged out by Snellen in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot when the pair were split across the course, but Aidan O’Brien’s No Nay Never filly can reverse those placings here. Last time out, the drop to 6 furlongs proved a bit on the sharp side, so this return to 7 should be just the ticket. More to come, and the one to follow

Newbury Park

BetVictor Geoffrey Freer Stakes (Group 3) 1.50
Klondike
A race that three-year-olds do well in, so Klondike looks a likely type to land Pattern success here at Newbury. He cost a pretty penny and can start to repay some of that faith here. Arrest looks the obvious danger, with softer ground in his favour, but Klondike gets the nudge in a fascinating race

BetVictor Hungerford Stakes (Group 2) 3.35
Jumby
Eve Johnson Houghton holds the key to this Group 2 contest with the highly tried Jumby. He’s got form over the re-opposing Pogo this term, when the pair finished second and third in the Criterion Stakes at Newmarket last month, and on level weights here, Jumby should have the edge once more. Richard Hannon’s Chindit seems to have lost a bit, so Jumby is the one to beat

Deauville

Prix du Calvados (Group 2) (Fillies) 2.49
Classic Flower (nap)
A great rematch between Laulne and Classic Flower, who were just half a length apart here last time in a Group 3 race over course and distance. Though coming off second best, Classic Flower was homing in on Laulne, having been 6 lengths back rounding the home turn. Classic Flower to reverse those placings, she’s quick, and one to follow

Prix de Pomone (Group 2) (Fillies & Mares) 3.25
Ottery (nb)
She was pretty impressive in the Prix de Royaumont at Chantilly back in June, powering through from last to first in the final 2 furlongs. She needed every yard of that 12 furlongs to reel in Boogie Woogie, Aidan O’Brien’s hot favourite, and back at this trip is hard to oppose. Sure to go well if coping with the extra ease in the ground, and respected

The Mandarin