The Mandarin’s Saturday Selections for 23rd November 2024

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

Punchestown

Conway Piling Beginners Chase 12.30
Ballyburn
It is a highly anticipated start for Ballyburn over fences, and accordingly the market has taken no chances on Willie Mullins’s brilliant novice hurdler. Connections have wasted no time in sending him over fences, and this should be the start of a big campaign. Paul Townend is in charge of the steering, and plenty of notes will be taken on Ballyburn’s first try over the bigger obstacles, though he does still hold an entry for the Hatton’s Grace next week. Gordon Elliott’s Dee Capo and Willie Mullins’s Gold Dancer are both in it, while Padraig Roche’s Miss Pronunciation looks a super each-way angle, but Ballyburn is very hard to oppose granted a clear round.

Boodles Florida Pearl Novice Chase (Grade 2) 1.00
Stellar Story
It’s disappointing that there’s only the three declared for this Grade 2 contest, and all from the same yard too. It looks that Stellar Story is the stable first string with Jack Kennedy getting the leg-up, and it should be safe enough to stick with him. He landed the Albert Bartlett at hefty odds in the spring, and should be just as effective over fences.

Ryans Cleaning Handicap Chase 1.35
Law Ella
Gavin Cromwell’s Law Ella promised plenty over fences last term, and probably deserves more than just the one win in six starts. She ran well enough on her seasonal reappearance at Listowel to suggest that this move into handicap company will suit, and can defy top-weight to land this. The ground’s likely to go against Walnut Beach, so Gordon Elliott’s Magic Tricks can chase Law Ella home.

Unibet Morgiana Hurdle (Grade 1) 2.10
Lossiemouth (nap)
What a cracking renewal in store, where there’s been plenty of money down this week on the brilliant State Man. That’s no surprise either, as his only defeat since joining Willie Mullins was at the hands of Constitution Hill in the 2023 Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. However, Lossiemouth was at the top of her game last year, winning twice at Cheltenham before taking the Mares Champion Hurdle at the Festival here in May. She gets 7lbs from State Man, and that could be telling on ground that’s going to get deep, while Gordon Elliott’s Brighterdaysahead won a Grade 3 at Down Royal the last day, so lines up here race-fit. Lossiemouth to spring the surprise on her stablemate, with State Man and Brighterdaysahead to follow her home.

Haydock Park

Betfair Supports Safer Gambling Week Newton Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 12.08
Country Mile
As Dan Skelton sent out winners for fun at Cheltenham’s Autumn Festival last week, it’s hard to ignore the appeal of Country Mile for the opener at Haydock Park. That said, conditions are going to be way different to the good ground he found at Ayr last month, so it’s taken on trust that Country Mile can act on this going. Jonjo O’Neill’s Roadlesstravelled is on a hat-trick after wins at Market Rasen and Wetherby, but also has to prove himself on deeper ground. Stuart Crawford’s Lily Du Berlais will go on this ground, so rates the main danger, but Country Mile gets the nudge.

Betfair Exchange Graduation Chase 1.50
Tahmuras
It could pay to side with Paul Nicholls’s Tahmuras for the Graduation Chase, with the Ditcheat yard nailing three of the last four renewals. There’ll be no concerns over the cut in the ground here at Haydock Park, and he won his only other visit here in the Listed Newton Novices’ Hurdle in 2022, and should be adding to the tally of one over fences this season. Kim Bailey’s Trelawne and the progressive Iroko complete the shortlist, but Tahmuras looks well treated and gets the vote.

Betfair Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) 2.30
Doyen Quest
Doyan Quest made a fine start to this campaign with a silver medal in the Silver Trophy at Chepstow last month, but stepped up a notch to score at Cheltenham last week. If fully recovered from that recent run, another bold bid is on the cards, and he’s 5lbs well-in with the penalty for last week’s win. Considering the stable form of Dan Skelton and brother Harry holding the best strike rate amongst the leading jump jockey’s, Doyen Quest is easy to back.

Betfair Chase (Grade 1) 3.05
Royal Pagaille (nb)
This is one top-class renewal of the Betfair Chase, where there are plenty to make a case for. Last year’s winner, Venetia Williams’s Royal Pagaille won’t be sorry to see the forecast rain on Saturday, and with conditions right up his street is hard to oppose. Grey Dawning looked one right out of the top drawer in novice company for Dan Skelton last season, but might just need this run to be seen to best effect, while Bravemansgame couldn’t live with Royal Pagaille last year and now tries cheekpieces. He too wouldn’t want too much rain so Irish raider, Shark Hanlon’s Hewick might give the selection the most trouble. Horses for courses here, so Royal Pagaille is the one to follow.

Ascot

Copybet 1965 Chase (Grade 2) 1.30
Pic D’orhy
It’s hard to go against Pic D’orhy to defend his crown in this Grade 2. He took this race by 16 lengths from Straw Fan Jack last year, after odds-on shot Shihkin refused to race, and it’s no surprise to see how short the ante-post market has gone on Paul Nicholls’s runner this week. Jeremy Scott’s Dashel Drasher gets 6lbs from the selection, which gives him a squeak, while Le Patron and Flegmatik look up against it. Pic D’ory to go in again.

1st Class Logistics Berkshire National Handicap Chase 2.05
Kitty’s Light
If it does get a bit soggy come Saturday afternoon, Kitty’s Light could come into his own and outstay them all. Christian Williams’ Nataniel gelding will still be going long after plenty of these have thrown in the towel, and despite being near the top of the weights, has every chance of landing this. Midlands National winner, Beauport has to shoulder 12st around here, but is another that won’t lack for stamina, while Lucinda Russell’s Inis Oirr should relish the step up in trip so is noted. Further down the weights, Dom Of Mary is another that will keep going, but Kitty’s Light makes the most appeal given the conditions and Harry Cobden getting the ride.

Howden Ascot Hurdle (Grade 2) 2.45
Blueking D’oroux
Paul Nicholls can score again in the same Johnny de la Hey silks as Pic D’orhy with Blueking D’oroux. He won this last year by a length from Strong Leader, and now has to keep tabs on Jeremy Scott’s prolific Golden Ace, who went four from four over timber last season, finishing with a Listed win at Cheltenham. This is a step up in grade, but Golden Ace can mix it with Salver and Blueking D’oroux for Grade 2 honours.

The Mandarin