The Mandarin’s Saturday Selections for 28th December 2024

The Mandarin’s Saturday Selections from Leopardstown, Limerick & Newbury Park

Leopardstown

Ballymaloe Relish Rising Stars Beginners Chase 1.20
Quai De Bourbon
Willie Mullins has high expectations of Quai De Bourbon as he tackles fences for the first time. A winner of three of his four starts over timber since moving to the Closutton yard, he’s the choice of Paul Townend ahead of Captain Cody and Chapeau De Soleil. Gordon Elliott’s Dee Capo is another that should have a future over fences, though he fell two out in a race picked up by Ile Atlantique at Navan three weeks ago, so needs to put in a clear round. Paul Townend will be on the crest of a wave after his St Stephen’s Day success on Bainbridge in the King George VI at Kempton, and can score again here on Quai De Bourbon.

Savills Hurdle (Grade 1) 2.00
Home By The Lee
Joseph O’Brien’s Home By The Lee has long promised much over hurdles, and following a fine third in the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in the Spring, got this season of to a flyer in the Lismullen at Navan. That was his second win in that Grade 2, and will have teed him up nicely for more Grade One honours to go with the Christmas Hurdle he took here in 2022. Bob Olinger lines up against Home By The Lee, but this trip is likely to stretch him, so Asterion Forlonge might turn out to be the main danger if fully tuned after eight months off the track. Home By The Lee to confirm his superiority over three mile trips, with Joseph O’Brien reeling in the winners this week.

Savills Chase (Grade 1) 2.35
Fact To File (nap)
One of the outstanding Novice Chasers in Ireland last year, Fact To File returned with style in the John Durkan at Punchestown last month, leaving Galopin Des Champs nearly three lengths back in third. With plenty of toe required to win that 19&1/2 furlong Grade 1, and quicker ground underfoot here, there’s every chance he can serve it up to the dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner once more. This year’s Grand National winner, I Am Maximus gets his campaign under way here, and has won fresh before, but might be finding this race happening all too quickly, and may only make the minor places for the second year, but it’s very hard to go against Fact To File for the feature.

Limerick

Guinness 00 Faugheen Novice Chase (Grade 1) 1.40
Impaire Et Passe
There’s been plenty of excitement about Impaire Et Passe as he takes to fences this season. Things couldn’t have got off to a better start than at Fairyhouse the last day, where there was a clear 12 lengths of daylight between him and second, Staffordshire Knot, though stablemate O’moore Park did fall at the last, but wouldn’t have troubled the Impaire Et Passe. The bookies will be taking no chances here, as Daryl Jacob replaces Paul Townend on his return from injury.

Newbury Park

Coral Mandarin Handicap Chase 2.20
Hoe Joly Smoke
One going the right way for Dan Skelton, Hoe Joly Smoke is worth keeping on side here. He would not have to improve much from his last run at Sandown Park to win this, where he looked strong through the line to put over 4 lengths between himself and Passing Well, and also has some decent course form in the book from a hurdle here last year. Ben Pauling has rejuvenated his yard since the switch to bigger premises, and is making the most of it with The Jukebox Man going in on St Stephen’s Day, so Henry’s Friend has to make the shortlist, while Venetia Williams is another trainer in a purple patch, so Hold That Taught is also noted. Hoe Joly Smoke to continue Dan Skelton’s fine run of form and take the Mandarin Chase

Coral Challow Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2.55
The New Lion (nb)
It could be a good day for Dan Skelton if The New Lion lands the Challow. With a course and distance win under his belt to add to the maiden win at Chepstow, cruising impressively to the front under a hands and heels ride from Harry Skelton, who must be relishing this Grade One challenge. Paul Nicholls’s Regent’s Stroll cost a pretty penny and began to repay the faith when scoring here, despite sitting down on his haunches two out, but wouldn’t want to be repeating that with The New Lion in the vicinity. Ben Pauling’s It’s Hard To Know looks an uncomplicated sort and is the each-way angle, but The New Lion is the one they all have to aim at.

The Mandarin