The Mandarin’s Saturday Selections for 20th July 2024

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

The Curragh

David Power Memorial Premier Handicap 2.35
My Mate Alfie
There’s a big prize on offer for this Premier Handicap, and Ger Lyons could be taking it home with My Mate Alfie. Last seen winning a Listed contest here three weeks back, this Dark Angel gelding has to be considered dropped back into handicap company. With plenty of rain around at The Curragh on Saturday, his form is up for scrutiny, but the yard’s going well and Colin Keane is in the hot seat. My Mate Alfie to score, despite the wide draw in Stall 16

Barberstown Castle Sapphire Stakes (Group 2) 3.05
Makarova (nap)
With plenty of smart sprinters making the trip across the Irish Sea, this Group 2 prize looks sure to go back to Britain. The ready preference is for Ed Walker’s Makarova, who wouldn’t have to improve much from her win in the Coral Charge at Sandown Park to take this. With an entry in the Nunthorpe at York in the diary, Ed walker’s smart mare looks the one to follow with no concerns over the softening ground, which does raise a doubt for ante-post market leader Believing, who finished fourth in two Group One’s at Royal Ascot on a quick surface. Jack Davison’s She’s Quality is one going the right way, so rates the danger, but Makarova has a perfect draw in Stall 2 and gets the nudge

Juddmonte Irish Oaks (Group 1) 3.40
Lava Stream
The chance is taken on British raider Lava Stream for the feature. David O’Meara’s Too Darn Hot filly pushed the re-opposing Port Fairy all the way in the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot, but Ryan Moore jumps onto Content for this Classic, which does ask a question of Port Fairy. French raider Dare To Dream should appreciate this step up in trip, and won’t mind if the going turns to soft, while Epsom Oaks third, War Chimes, also makes the shortlist. Lava Stream to reverse the Ribblesdale placing with Port Fairy, and scoop the Classic

Comer Group International Curragh Cup (Group 2) 4.15
Vauban (nb)
This Group two looks ideally set up for a big run from Vauban. Willie Mullins’s smart gelding only found Giavellotto too good in the Yorkshire Cup Stakes at York back in May over this trip, and can go one better here. Any rain around would be an advantage over the rest of this field, and that does look pretty nailed on from early in the morning. Tower Of London has over 10 lengths to find on Vauban from that York race, so the main threat should come from Dermot Weld’s Shamida, who won the Irish St Leger Trial here over course and distance last August. Vauban to go in for the powerful Closutton yard of Willie Mullins

Newbury Park

Get Best Odds Guaranteed At BetVictor Steventon Stakes (Listed) 1.50
Al Aasy
This Listed prize can go to one of the Shadwell Stud runners, Al Aasy or Alyanaabi, with the former just edging it. That said, Al Aasy has to give plenty of weight to the three year old Alyanaabi, and has sometimes been found wanting for pressure, but Tom Marquand is up top for William Haggas’s Sea The Stars gelding, and he’s a proven performer at Group level. Alyanaabi tries 10 furlongs for the first time, so has to prove he has this trip on softer ground, whereas Al Aasy is well withing his range, so gets the vote

Fidelity Energy Hackwood Stakes (Group 3) 3.00
Elite Status
Karl Burke is having a fine season with his sprinters, and can get Elite Status Group 3 honours here. He was impressive enough when landing the Listed Carnarvon Stakes here over course and distance last time out, so this Havana Grey colt is preferred to Ed Bethell’s Regional, who lines up here after a fine second to Australian raider Asfoora in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot. William Haggas’s Lake Forest completes the shortlist after chasing home the smart Inisherin in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, but course form gives Elite Status the big tick

Weatherbys Super Sprint Stakes 3.35
It Ain’t Two
Hugo Palmer holds the key to this 5 furlong dash with It Ain’t Two, who ran a fine race finish runner-up in the Listed Dragon Stakes at Sandown Park last time out. Though no match for the winner, Aesterius, who went into that race with a three figure rating, she gave it a good shot and can go one better here. Oisin Murphy returns to the saddle to try and get this Calyx filly over the line, with Archie Watson’s Vingegaard and Karl Burke’s Kaadi likely to give the selection most to think about

Newmarket

Ric And Mary Hambro Aphrodite Fillies’ Stakes (Listed) 6.35
Danielle
This Listed race can go to John & Thady Gosdens’ Danielle, who will be right on the premises if running to the level that saw her finish sixth in the Ribblesdale last month. This looks a tad easier than that Royal Ascot Group 2, and being a daughter of Cracksman there’s every chance she’ll have more to offer over this mile and a half trip. Stablemate One Evening gets her season under way after 9 months off, and would be looking for more improvement now at five years old. Danielle to score for the in-form Gosden team

The Mandarin