The Mandarin’s Saturday Selections for 6th July 2024

The Mandarin’s Saturday Selections from Sandown Park & Haydock Park

Sandown Park

Coral Charge (Group 3) 1.50
Live In The Dream
This 5 furlong dash can go to Adam West’s Live In The Dream, who should take things out from the front, and play catch me if you can. This Prince Of Lir gelding showed all the ability remained when a half-length second in the Group 2 Temple Stakes at Haydock Park, on his seasonal reappearance in May, with his next run back at that track easily forgiven after a stumbled start. The constant rain on Friday is sure to give more cut in the ground, but that just adds to the appeal, so Live In The Dream is the one to beat

Coral Challenge (Handicap) 2.25
Dual Identity
It may pay to side with William Knight’s Dual Identity for this valuable Handicap. This Belardo gelding has an excellent course record, having won here three times, and been runner-up and third on two more from six runs. Deeper ground shouldn’t be an issue for Dual Identity, though that could scupper the chances of Classic, who was nearest at the finish here over course and distance three weeks ago, and rates the main danger. Roger Varian’s Perotto is a classy one at this level, so his third in the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot is rock solid form for this, while the hat-trick seeking Two Tempting completes the shortlist. Dual Identity to make the best job of coping with the changing ground to score here

Coral Distaff (Listed) (Fillies) 3.00
Indelible (nap)
It’s hard to rub out the appeal of Ralph Beckett’s Indelible for this Listed contest. She was first in her group in the Sandringham Stakes at Royal Ascot, with the re-opposing Soprano landing the gamble in the Stand Side group, but now gets a better draw at Sandown Park to reverse those placings. Andrew Balding’s Clove Hitch goes forward for Black Type form, and has to be respected, but this extra cut in the ground is a bit of an unknown, so Regal Jubilee rates the main threat. Indelible looks the one to follow with conditions in her favour, with Regal Jubilee to make her honest for the money

Coral-Eclipse (Group 1) 3.35
Ghostwriter
All the fuss is about Aidan O’Brien’s Derby winner City Of Troy, and understandably there’s plenty of boxes ticks for this beautifully bred Justify colt. However, the bookies will be taking no chances on City Of Troy, with not much bang for your buck, so we’ll take a chance on Clive Cox’s Ghostwriter to land the Coral-Eclipse in an attractive forecast bet. Insurance for this comes dressed as Joseph O’Brien’s Al Riffa, who should act on this softer turf after Friday’s deluge, and that could work out a valuable bet if the American bred hot favourite doesn’t take to this slower surface. Ghostwriter finished a fine fourth in the French Derby at Chantilly, and might just spring the surprise here. Fascinating for the feature

Haydock Park

bet365 Lancashire Oaks (Group 2) (Fillies & Mares) 2.40
Queen Of The Pride (nb)
A classy looking renewal, but it may be worth keeping Queen Of The Pride on-side for the feature. Trainer John Gosden has an enviable record in this Group 2, and has every chance of making it a tenth win here at Haydock Park. This promises to be a real cracker, with Ralph Beckett’s Lady Boba lining up alongside Queen Of The Pride, remembering their clash here over course and distance four weeks ago, with just a short head between them, while the re-opposing Sea Theme was a close fourth. The progressive Tiffany looks one to note, but Queen Of The Pride and Oisin Murphy can serve it up to Lady Boba once again, so gets the nudge

bet365 Old Newton Cup Handicap 3.15
Relentless Voyager
Andrew Balding holds the key to the Old Newton Cup with Relentless Voyager. This Ulysses gelding remains unexposed in this type of race, and his win in the Northern Dancer Handicap at Epsom Downs on Derby Day looks a decent piece of form. David O’Meara’s Epic Poet was second in the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot to the smart Crystal Black, so has to be feared, while La Yakel also makes the final set. Relentless Voyager to return to winning ways, with Epic Poet to chase him home

Never Ordinary At bet365 Handicap 4.25
Billyjoh
Mick Appleby’s Billyjoh only found the progressive English Oak too good in the Buckingham Palace Stakes last time out, but can go one better here. The well-funded Wathnan Racing had that Royal Ascot race sewn up a fair way out with English Oak, but Billyjoh was closing fast and looks suited to this longer trip. The hat-trick seeking Spirit Genie makes the each-way angle, but Billyjoh appeals most for the win

The Mandarin