The Mandarin’s Saturday Selections for 2nd March 2024

The Mandarin’s Saturday Selections from Newbury, Navan, Doncaster & Meydan

Newbury

BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 1.55
Highstakesplayer
Tom Lacey could have the answer to this red-hot Handicap with Highstakesplayer. Unbeaten so far over fences in three starts since October 2022, this lightly raced eight year old returned from a long lay-off just as good as ever when scoring at Kempton Park three weeks back. Fine on this ground, and from a workable mark, every chance

Navan

Flyingbolt Novice Chase (Grade 3) 3.48
Spillane’s Tower
A good duel in store between Spillane’s Tower and Blood Destiny, who finished one-two last time out at Punchestown. The marginal preference is for the hat-trick seeking Spillane’s Tower, though Blood Destiny is 3lbs better off this time around. With a 2 length margin in that Grade 3 contest separating the pair, it’s going to be a close call, but Spillane’s Tower has form on heavy ground, so gets the vote

BoyleSports Webster Cup Chase (Grade 2) 4.23
Ash Tree Meadow (nb)
Gordon Elliott should be taking home the feature race on Navan’s Saturday card with Ash Tree Meadow, who should appreciate the return to this longer trip. This French bred gelding won a match at Down Royal back in November on ground with plenty of cut in it, and after finding his last assignment in the Newlands Chase at Naas on the sharp side at 2 miles, this is a more realistic target. That Naas run should see Ash Tree Meadow strip fitter, so he’s the one to beat

Doncaster

Free Digital Racecard At raceday-ready.com Handicap Chase 2.35
Tommy’s Oscar (nap)
Ann Hamilton’s stable star won the Lightning Novices’ Chase over course and distance last year, and can go in again at the expense of Homme Public. Dropping into Handicap company, the classy Nube Negra sports first-time cheekpieces and if they bring about some improvement, the Skeltons’ French bred gelding could rate the main danger, as Homme Public might find this ground too deep. A good contest with the smart Tommy’s Oscar taken to prevail

Tips For Every Race At raceday-ready.com Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Listed) 3.10
Gaye Legacy
This Listed contest can go to Tom Symonds progressive Gaye Legacy, who has been a model of consistency in Handicaps this term. Never out of the first three in five starts on ground from good to heavy, her last run at Newbury suggested that there’s still more under the bonnet, with this flattish tack likely to suit. Worth a crack in this grade, and sure to give the useful Lunar Discovery a run for her money

Meydan

Jumeirah 1,000 Guineas Sponsored By Emirates SkyCargo (Listed) (Fillies) 12.05
Cinderella’s Dream
Paltry returns for backing Cinderella’s Dream, but she does look one right out of the top drawer for Charlie Appleby. Unbeaten in three starts, including here last month in the Jumeirah Fillies’ Classic over 7 furlongs, she should be winning this on her way to some bigger dates in the diary. Amy Murphy’s Geologist has run with credit here this year, so is likely to be the closest to Cinderella’s Dream who is almost impossible to oppose

Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint Sponsored By Emirates Skywards (Group 3) 1.15
Star Of Mystery
Charlie Appleby can strike again in this Group 3 contest with Star Of Mystery. This Kodiac filly has form over a few of these from the Blue Point Sprint here last time out, and getting plenty of weight from all but the other three year old filly in the field, Frost At Dawn, makes Star Of Mystery hard to oppose. That said, Frost At Dawn makes plenty of appeal as an each-way angle, while Michael Costa’s Tajalla should come on for the run in the Blue Point and rates the main danger. That’s the three, with Star Of Mystery to bag the hat-trick

Dubai City Of Gold Sponsored By emirates.com (Group 2) 1.50
Warren Point
Castle Way looks the stable first string for Charlie Appleby with William Buick in the saddle, but Warren Point’s course experience could be decisive here. Castle Way is a pretty short price in the ante-post markets, while Warren Point lines up fresh from a win on this track over 10 furlongs in the Dubai Millennium, with the late finish suggesting this step up in trip should suit. Warren Point to beat the jolly and continue Charlie Appleby’s fine run

Ras Al Khor Sponsored By Emirates Airline (Group 3) 3.10
Ehraz
The chance is Taken on Ehraz to score for Ali Al Badwawi and Jim Crowley. He’s out of Richard Hannon’s yard, where he mainly raced at 6 furlongs, but coped well enough with the step up to 7 when runner-up at Chelmsford City back in September. Charlie Appleby’s Noble Dynasty is sure to get plenty of support considering the Moulton Paddocks handler’s fine form, but Ehraz should act on this track and gets the nudge

Jumeirah Classic Sponsored By Arabian Adventures (Listed) 4.20
Legend Of Time
Legend Of Time is sure to be a warm order favourite to cap off a brilliant day for Charlie Appleby and William Buick. This is the Sea The Stars colt’s hat-trick bid, after victories here in January and February. It’s an extra furlong, but hard to see anything in this field getting upsides of the latest smart prospect from the Godolphin production line. Legend Of Time to win this with plenty to spare

The Mandarin