The Mandarin’s Saturday Selections for 22nd February 2025

The Mandarin’s Saturday Selections from Kempton Park, Fairyhouse & Riyadh

Kempton Park

Ladbrokes Pendil Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) 1.50
Boombawn
Two visits here, and two wins over timber for Boombawn, but as he’s already shaping up to be a better chaser then hurdler, a chance is taken on Dan Skelton’s gelding. He’s scored once this season at this level, landing the Boodles Rising Stars Novices’ Chase at Wincanton, and if flatter tracks bring out the best in him, then Kempton Park is the place to be on Saturday. Paul Nichollss yard is finally finding a return to form at the highest level, and has an enviable record in this race, so Rubaud has to enter calculations if seeing out this trip, while Jessica Harrington’s Irish raider Ashdale Bob also makes the shortlist, but does run under a penalty. Boombawn to go close at a super price.

Ladbrokes Adonis Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) 2.25
Mondo Man
We gave Mondo Man for a Juvenile Hurdle at Ascot last month, where he was no match for Nicky Henderson’s Lulamba, but this looks a lot easier with that rival not lining up. He changed hands for a princely sum last year after a fine fifth in the French Derby, the Prix du Jockey Club, and can start to repay that half million Euro price tag with a win in this Grade 2 contest. Gary & Josh Moore always do well with these youngsters, so Mondo Man is the one to follow.

Ladbrokes Dovecot Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 3.00
Miami Magic
Stuart Edmunds holds the key to this Novices’ Hurdle with Miami Magic, who eases in grade his last run in the Formby Novices’ Hurdle to this Grade 2. Only bettered by the smart Potters Charm in that Grade 1 contest, Miami Magic has already scored here this term, and gets 3lbs from main rival Tripoli Flyer, who is on the hat-trick for Fergal O’Brien. Celtic Dino was fourth in the Formby so is sure to be involved, but the progressive Miami Magic is hard to oppose.

Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 3.35
Hyland (nb)
This Premier Handicap can go to Nicky Henderson’s likeable Hyland. We gave him for a Listed Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham’s Autumn Festival, where he put in a really good shift from the front to relegate favourite Springwell Bay to third spot. From there, he was last seen chasing home The Jukebox Man in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase here over course and distance on Boxing Day, sand that looks rock solid form for this handicap. Lowry’s Bar looks the obvious danger, but might find this ground a bit quick at Kempton on Saturday, while 2023 winner Our Power is sure be there at the business end. That completes the shortlist, but Hyland is expected to make a bold bid for the front, so gets the nudge.

Follow @ToteRacing On Twitter Bobbyjo Chase (Grade 3) 3.25
Nick Rockett
Look no further than Nick Rockett to take the Bobbyjo for Willie Mullins, though last year’s winner I am Maximus is expected to be right there as well. Of course, I Am Maximus went on to take the Grand National at Aintree after scoring here in 2024, but he’s got to give almost a stone to Nick Rockett, and we think that’s enough to tip the scales in the selection’s favour. Intense Raffles is also heading for the Grand National later this year, so this course winner will be looking to sharpen up his game now back over fences, but the bigger date in the diary suggests that this is a prep run, so JJ Slevin won’t have him all out to win this Grade 3. Nick Rockett to score for Willie Mullins as he gets his string fine-tuned for Cheltenham.

Irish Stallion Farms EBF Colreevy Mares Novice Chase (Listed) 4.35
Bioluminescence
It could pay to side with Gavin Cromwell’s Bioluminescence for this Mares Novice Chase. Last seen chasing home the smart Dancing City in a novice chase at Naas, she’s back against her own sex here and wouldn’t have to improve much to take this eased in grade. Willie Mullins sends out three of the five going to post, where Spindleberry is the choice of Paul Townend, so is taken to be the stable first string. That said, Judicieuse Allen was course winner in December, so might rate the main danger, but Bioluminescence gets the nudge.

Riyadh

Saudi Cup (Group 1) 5.40
Romantic Warrior (nap)
The world’s richest horse race, and we are going to side with the brilliant Romantic Warrior to land the spoils. With a prize pool of 8 million pounds, there’s a truly international field descending on Riyadh for this Saudi Cup. The hot favourite in the ante-post markets has been Yoshito Yashagi’s Forever Young, last seen finishing fast to take third spot on the dirt in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar. That experience on the dirt has to be an advantage, but probably not enough of a difference to get the better of our selection. Romantic Warrior, Charlie Shum’s superstar seven year old, the highest earning horse globally, has been outstanding for the last three seasons, and being the first horse trained outside of Japan to land the Yasuda Kinen in 18 years, has to be something special. That was over the mile, though jockey James McDonald always knew he had enough horse under him for that sharpish trip, but returned here to 9 furlongs and out of Stall 3, all the stars look aligned for another world class performance, especially after an easy win in the Jebel Hatta last month to prep him for the richest prize in racing. Jerome Reynier sends over Facteur Cheval, who has tried out the dirt at Meydan, though couldn’t stay with the re-opposing Walk Of Stars last month, as the ex- Charlie Appleby runner finished 7 lengths to the good, while American raider, Kenneth McPeek’s Rattle’n Roll has plenty of scope at this trip and completes the shortlist. Romantic Warrior and James McDonald to continue this world-beating friendship and scoop the jackpot, with Rattle’n Roll the super-each way angle.

The Mandarin