The Mandarin’s Saturday Selections for 21st September 2024

The Mandarin’s Saturday Selections from Newbury, Gowran Park & Ayr

Newbury

Dubai International Airport World Trophy Stakes (Group 3) 1.30
Adaay In Devon
Rod Millman can take the opener on Saturday’s Newbury Park card with Adaay In Devon. This useful filly was third to Elite Status over 6 furlongs back in May, with the re-opposing Relief Rally one place ahead, but dropped back to the bare minimum can regain the winning thread. Mick Appleby’s Annaf was last seen in Group One action in the Betfair Sprint Cup Stakes, and is sure to strip fitter for that run after 6 months off, so likely to be in the mix at this level. William Haggas’s Relief Rally and Archie Watson’s Albasheer complete the shortlist, but tough as teak Adaay In Devon gets the vote.

Dubai Duty Free Autumn Cup Handicap 2.05
Lieber Power
Lieber Power has improved this season since being stepped up in trip, so a chance is taken that this Cracksman gelding will take this thirteen furlong distance in his stride. Unlucky not to reel in Shadow Dance in a big handicap at York last time out, Oisin Murphy is in charge and likely to get Lieber Power to switch off at the back of the pack before his usual late move. David Menuisier’s Waxing Gibbous lines up here in fine form after chasing home Epic Poet two weeks ago, so enters calculations, while Hughie Morrison’s Not So Sleepy is the each-way angle. Lieber Power was second by just a nose when last on this track, so expect a big run and a third win of this season.

Dubai Duty Free Handicap 2.40
Involvement
In a pretty hot handicap, Simon & Ed Crisfords’ Involvement looks one to keep on side. A fine second in the Silver Bowl at Haydock Park back in May showed he has scope at this level, and this Lope De Vega colt took the bet365 Handicap at Newmarket’s summer meeting when sent off favourite. The prolific Quietness has won five of her last six starts, so is difficult to ignore in her current mood, while Fantasy Believer is three from three under Saffie Osborne this term and completes the shortlist. Involvement to go close in a really competitive race.

Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes (Group 2) 3.15
Shadow Of Light (nb)
Gimcrack second and third, Shadow Of Light and Symbol Of Strength face up to one another again in the feature. There was only a three-quarter length advantage to Shadow Of Light in that Group 2, but Symbol Of Strength did go on to win the Sirenia Stakes on Kempton Park’s all-weather surface two weeks ago, so lines up here in great form, assuming this Kodiac colt is fully recovered from that run. Sylvester Kirk’s Brian is having a fine season and won here on good to soft ground back in July, before going third to Symbol Of Strength in the Sirenia, so also looks set to go well again. These are the three that appeal, but Shadow Of Light has had a longer break so edges the vote.

Gowran Park

Denny Cordell Lavarack & Lanwades Stud Filles & Mares Stakes (Group 3) 4.01
Caught U Looking
Noel Meade’s Caught U Looking outran her odds when a fine fifth in the Oaks at Epsom, and has continued to progress since then. Last seen finishing fourth to the smart Hanalia in the Blandford Stakes at The Curragh on Irish Champions weekend last Sunday, it’s a quick turnaround but she’s no also ran despite her trainer being better known in the National Hunt scene. Paddy Twomey’s One Look and Dermot Weld’s Azada complete the shortlist, but Caught U Looking gets the nudge, with Colin Keane up top an added plus.

Ayr

Livescore Bet Doonside Cup Stakes (Listed) 1.50
Phantom Flight
George Scott’s Phantom Flight can defy the penalty and score at Listed level for the second time this year. Last seen a fine second to See The Fire in the Strensall Stakes at York, this look a tad easier, though Sir Busker seemed to have bounced back to form when scoring on the same card as the Strensall, so rates the main danger. Richard Hannon’s Persica is useful on his day, while Roger Varian’s Enfjaar also makes appeal. Phantom Flight to win again with Persica and Sir Busker keeping him honest

Virgin Bet Ayr Silver Cup Handicap 2.25
Alfa Kellenic
It could pay to side with Craig Lidster’s Alfa Kellenic for the Silver Cup. This Havana Grey filly has been in red-hot form, winning four on the bounce, including here over course and distance, in a busy summer spell on turf. She’s been hit by a penalty but might be up to defying that and staying ahead of the Handicapper, with a stand side draw adding to the appeal. The veteran Summerghand and Kings Merchant from Ed Bethell’s in-form yard all deserve a second look, while the well drawn Mr Wagyu has a return to form not ruled out and has to enter calculations. Alfa Kellenic to carry on her fine spell and land this valuable prize.

Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Firth Of Clyde (Group 3) (Fillies) 3.00
Sky Majesty (nap)
William Haggas holds the key to this Group 3 with Sky Majesty. She wouldn’t have to improve much from her debut under rules at Newbury Park to take this, where she won with a bit in hand under a hands and heels ride from a confident Tom Marquand. The useful Maw Lam didn’t really fire in the Flying Childers at Doncaster last week, but is unexposed at 6 furlongs and has an ideal draw on the stand side, while Fozzy Stack’s Irish raider Grande Marques lines up fresh from a win in a Rated race at Navan. Sky Majesty to score with Maw Lam to push her close.

Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup Handicap (Heritage Handicap) 3.35
Lethal Levi
It’s a pretty wide open handicap with plenty that make appeal, but Karl Burkes’ Lethal Levi looks the value pick and is our each-way angle. The Spigot Lodge handler is having a fine season with his sprinters, taking Group One Classic honours at The Curragh with Fallen Angel earlier this year, and Lethal Levi gave Karl Burke another one for the scoreboard when going in at Newbury Park last month. Michael Dods’ Northern Express is well drawn on the stand side, and can make the pace for Lethal Levi, while John & Thady Gosdens’ Mostabshir can also make the frame. Lethal Levi to keep up the good form for Karl Burke, with Northern Express setting the fractions.

The Mandarin