The Mandarin’s Saturday Selections for 30th March 2024

The Mandarin’s Saturday Selections from Meydan & Fairyhouse

Meydan

Dubai Gold Cup Sponsored By Al Tayer Motors (Group 2) 12.40
Siskany (nap)
Charlie Appleby’s Siskany can go one better than when runner-up in this race last year. He’s four from five on this track, with that second here last year the only blot on the copybook. Aidan O’Brien’s Tower Of London has had plenty of support in the ante-post markets, and lines up fresh from a win in a Group 3 at Riyadh, while the hugely talented Trawlerman is an obvious threat if acting on this track. John & Thady Gosden’s Golden Horn gelding didn’t make an impression in this race last year, trailing in fourteenth of fifteen, so doubts remain on ground this quick. Siskany and William Buick to land the Gold Cup in Godolphin’s royal blue silks

Al Quoz Sprint Sponsored By AZIZI Developments (Group 1) 1.15
Star Of Mystery
Charlie Appleby can score again with Star Of Mystery with Frankie Dettori, and reverse placings with Frost At Dawn from their last clash in the Nad Al Sheba. Frost At Dawn had the better track position there, and gets to line up in Stall 1 this time. Hong Kong raider, the classy California Spangle, reverts to a sprint but usually plies his trade at a mile these days, though was quick enough to burn off the field in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup two weeks ago, while Clive Cox’s Diligent Harry is in super form and can also make the frame from Stall 2. Star Of Mystery to make the most of the pull in the weights and take Group 1 glory

Dubai Turf Sponsored By DP World (Group 1) 3.10
Measured Time (nb)
This Frankel colt is two from two on this track, and his last defeat of stablemate Ottoman Fleet in the Group 1 Jebel Hatta over course and distance stacks up as the best form here. That said, it’s dangerous to rule out Lord North as he goes for a fourth consecutive win, with Frankie Dettori sure to make a very good fist of maintaining that superb run, while there’s plenty of noise about Japanese raider Do Deuce, who took the Group 1 Arima Kinen at Nakayama last time out. Measured Time to improve further, as the Frankel colts often do at four and make it three from three here, with Lord North making a race of it

Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (Group 1) 4.00
Auguste Rodin
The Sheema Classic can go back to Ireland with Aidan O’Brien’s Auguste Rodin. A highly regarded favourite for last year’s 2,000 Guineas and King George VI at Ascot, where both times he ran no sort of race at all, he comes with risks, but won all his other four starts at three. Japanese raider Liberty Island is one to note, winning the Japanese 1,000 Guineas at Kyoto, and such is the depth of quality from Japan has to make the shortlist in receipt of 5lbs as a filly. Auguste Rodin to see off Liberty Island and take more Group 1 honours

Fairyhouse

Race Displays Joseph O’Reilly Hunters Chase 2.45
Annamix
Willie Mullins can continue his superb run of form with Annamix in this Hunters Chase. The grey Martaline gelding scored over this trip at Gowran Park three weeks back, finding plenty for pressure from 2 out, so with similar conditions here, another big run is on the cards. The smart Ferns Lock may give Annamix the most to think about, but needs to bounce back from an underwhelming run at Cheltenham where he was pulled up at the last. Annamix the one to follow

BoyleSports Mares Handicap Chase (Listed) 3.20
Queen Jane
Back against her own sex, Queen Jane can take this Listed contest for Henry de Bromhead. Found out over 27 furlongs in the Grand National Trial at Punchestown last month, this is a more suitable trip and this is her time of the year. Rachael Blackmore on the reins adds to the appeal, so Queen Jane to score Black Type

I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Novice Handicap Hurdle Series Final (Listed) 4.30
Olympic Man
The chance is taken on Olympic Man, who got off the mark at the fifth time of asking when landing the odds in a Maiden Hurdle last time out. That was a pretty impressive run where Paul Townend didn’t need to get Olympic Man off the bridle, so there’s surely more to come. Gordon Elliott’s Shannon Royale and Gavin Cromwell’s Mint Boy are both smart, and should make Olympic Man work harder this time around

The Mandarin