The Mandarin’s Saturday Selections for 22nd November 2025

The Mandarin’s & Caroline’s Saturday Selections from Punchestown, Haydock Park & Ascot

Punchestown

Boodles Florida Pearl Novice Chase (Grade 2) 1.05
Koktail Divin
All the money this week has been on Declan Queally’s Rocky’s Diamond, and although sent off favourite the last day, he went down by three quarters of a length to Blizzard Of Oz. However, I do like the appeal of Henry de Bromhead’s Koktail Divin, who I reckon will be even better stepped up in trip, so that’s where I’ll take my chance. Connor King’s Oscars Brother brings some well franked for into this Grade 2, so these are my three, but Koktail Divin is my pick.

Unibet Morgiana Hurdle (Grade 1) 2.10
Lossiemouth
This is all about Lossiemouth, and let’s be honest, you’re not going to get much of a return backing her. But I’m of the opinion that this is a very special mare, so much so that Willie Mullins is sending Anzadam over to Newcastle to take on Constitution Hill and The New Lion in the Fighting Fifth. The trainer has also said he wants to see how she fares over this two mile trip, and it’s hard to imagine that stablemate Irancy can give Lossiemouth 7lbs and come out on top. With soft ground guaranteed at Punchestown, Lossiemouth should find this a stiff enough test to show her superiority over this small field, so she should be winning.

Haydock Park

Betfair Supports Safer Gambling Week Newton Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 12.08
Sticktotheplan
Masked Man made an eyecatching debut under rules at Chepstow last month, and has certainly got plenty of market support for this Grade 2. However, on that same Chepstow card, Sticktotheplan was winning the Persian War Novices’ Hurdle, showing plenty of speed to see off Gordon Elliott’s Kainsbourg in the final furlong, so he could take a bit of beating for Olly Murphy’s in-form yard. Dan Skelton’s another trainer firing out the winners just now, so Double Measure gets onto my list too, and my concern for Sticktotheplan would be the ground changing to soft if the forecast rain arrives. A good race to get thing under way at Haydock on Betfair Chase day, but I’m sticking with er, Sticktotheplan!

Betfair Exchange Graduation Chase 1.50
Iroko (nb)
Of course, all the money has gone down on Ben Pauling’s The Jukebox Man for this Graduation Chase, but it’s been a long return from injury and I think Iroko might have his measure. He started last year’s campaign in this race, finishing runner-up to Kim Bailey’s Trelawne, but Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero’s French bred gelding lines up on the same mark and has since had a wind op. Considering his staying on fourth in the Grand National when last seen, if the forecast rain does make it a stiff test, Iroko won’t be found out. Admittedly, The Jukebox Man was one the best Novice Chasers around last season, scoring in the Kauto Star at Kempton on Boxing Day, but not seen since then, I find it easy to imagine that the King George VI back there is this season’s main target, so Ben Pauling wouldn’t want him to have too hard a race. On balance, I think that Iroko can land the Graduation Chase, before another campaign likely to end at Aintree in the Spring.

Betfair Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) 2.25
Hartington
I imagine that this competitive Handicap can go to Joe Tizzard’s Hartington, given the mark that he lines up from. The Venn Farm handler is in fine form, though this Jukebox Jury sired grey will find Emma Lavelle’s Ma Shantou a tough opponent over this Stayers’ trip, and memories of her stable star Paisley Park are still fresh in the memory. However, Hartington is unexposed at this trip, and certainly won’t be minding the tacky ground, so I’ll take the chance that this mark under underestimates him, and he did win with something in hand at Carlisle three weeks ago. Dan Skelton is in fine form just now, so Joyeaux Machin and Ace Of Spades both make the shortlist, but I’ll take my chance with Hartington.

Betfair Chase (Grade 1) 3.00
Royal Pagaille
What a terrific renewal we have here, with last year’s first and second clashing swords again, while Irish Grand National winner Haiti Couleurs adds real depth to this Grade One. However, there’s set to be plenty of overnight rain, so conditions might just turn the going to last year’s winner Royal Pagaille’s liking, while runner-up Grey Dawning’s chances might be scuppered again, if there’s a change in the official going, and not having been out yet in this campaign. The extra spice of Haiti Couleurs lining up, who’s four from five over fences makes this a scintillating clash, with Ben Pauling’s Handstands hardly forgotten as another Grade One winner. All about the ground as I discussed with Barney on the Podcast this week, but Royal Paigaille goes so well fresh here at Haydock, the hat-trick is entirely possible. Can’t wait, frankly.

Ascot

Ladbrokes 1965 Chase (Grade 2) 1.30
Pic D’orhy (nap)
An absolutely fascinating race, where Tom George’s Il Est Francais adds a huge spice to this Grade 2. Last season, Il Est Francais nearly ran away with the King George at Kempton Park on Boxing Day, until our nap Banbridge reeled him in with a brilliantly timed run from Paul Townend, but will James Reveley try that trick again? Maybe, and that will make it a real test of attrition, but to my mind that can only play into the hands of the selection, Paul Nicholls Pic D’ory, who looks for a hat-trick of wins in this race. Fully tuned up after a gallant second in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby, Pic D’ory is a proven Grade One winner who excels at Ascot. Hard to oppose.

Ladbrokes Ascot Hurdle (Grade 2) 2.40
Wodhooh
Irish raider Wodhooh is likely to go off a very short priced favourite to take the Ascot Hurdle, and I do think that is justified in this grade. Obviously there are some classy types here, including Potters Charm and Crambo, who is unbeaten in three starts here and must appeal as a banker each way angle, but Wodhooh goes well fresh and gets weight all round from this field. Last seen second to the brilliant mare Lossiemouth in the Grade One Aintree Hurdle, Wodhooh’s record over the sticks is six wins and two seconds from her eight starts. Crambo might find this a bit sharp these days, so Kateira from Dan Skelton’s in-form yard could be the danger, but Wodhooh is the one to follow.

The Mandarin