The Mandarin’s Saturday Selections for 26th August 2023

The Mandarin’s Saturday Selections from York & The Curragh

York

Sky Bet And Symphony Group Strensall Stakes (Group 3) 1.50
Nostrum
Sir Michael Stoute has the likely favourite here in Nostrum, the Kingman colt who won the Henry Cecil Stakes at Newmarket last month. Returned to action in the Thoroughbred Stakes at Goodwood on unsuitably soft going, he was runner up to the smart Epictetus three weeks ago, failing to justify his odds-on starting price. Back on an easier track here, and with less cut in the ground, Nostrum looks the one to follow

Sky Bet Melrose Handicap (Heritage Handicap) 2.25
Lordship
William Haggas knows how to ready one for this type of stayers’ trip, as shown by the excellent Hamish this term. With this German sired gelding, he has an interesting contender who has had plenty of support in the ante-post markets, and a freshen-up after a busy spell in early summer. With three wins from five starts this term, and two runners-up spots to back up his credentials, one going the right way for this top trainer. On for the four-timer here, and easy to back

Sky Bet City Of York Stakes (Group 2) 3.00
Kinross (nap)
Frankie Dettori won this last year and with conditions to suit could well defend the title. Ralph Beckett’s gelding proved all the ability remains when landing the Group 2 Lennox Stakes at Goodwood last time out, and has to be the one to aim at, with William Haggas’s Sacred rating the main threat. Kinross gives 3lbs to that rival, but should be good enough to negate that pull, and that’s the one-two for this Group 2

Sky Bet Ebor Handicap (Heritage Handicap) 3.35
Absurde (nb)
Willie Mullins might have the answer to the feature with Absurde, who lines up here after an impressive run in the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot. His late run was too late to catch the runaway winner, stablemate Vauban, but under Frankie Dettori he was nearest at the finish. Chance taken that the master trainer has teed him up for this race. Interesting

Julia Graves Roses Stakes (Listed) 4.45
Summerghand
David O’Meara’s veteran is hitting his sweet spot as he so often does at this time of the season, and returns to York to go one better than at Ripon in the Great Saint Wilfrid Handicap last week. Back to his best there, and just losing out on the nod to Sophia’s Starlight after a strong run up the far-side rail, so every chance of winning this with the excellent Danny Tudhope back in the saddle. Every chance for Summerghand, with David O’Meara’s second string, Aberama Gold also likely to be in the mix

The Curragh

Newtownanner Stud Irish EBF Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies) 4.40
Brilliant
Aidan O’Brien’s Gleneagles filly looks the one to follow here after her solid third in the Listed Churchill Stakes at Tipperary last time out. She holds a host of fancy entries next month, including the Group 1 Moyglare on this track, and the Cheveley Park three weeks later, with another couple of Newmarket dates in the diary too. Clearly well thought of, and with Colin Keane booked for the trip, hard to oppose

Heider Family Stables Round Tower Stakes (Group 3) 5.10
Mountain Bear
Another of the Ballydoyle yard’s seemingly endless line of top quality Juveniles, and with course and distance form, one to keep on side. Third in the Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, this ease in grade should lighten the load, and after getting a bit heated in the preliminaries in that Group 2 contest, sure to put in a better performance with that experience behind him. The class act of the field, every chance

Snow Fairy Fillies Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies & Mares) 5.40
Village Voice
It may pay to side with Jessica Harrington’s Village Voice for the last of the Pattern races on The Curragh’s card at Headquarters. Good enough to win the Listed Salsabil at Navan back in April, she was highly tried in the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot on going patently too quick, finishing tenth of seventeen, but that form that has been franked by Warm Heart landing the Yorkshire Oaks on Thursday this week. Back on ground with more cut in it, she can go one better that her runners-up spot to Jackie Oh in the Rathbride Stakes last month, so gets the nudge for this Group 3

The Mandarin