The Mandarin’s Saturday Selections for 7th September 2024

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

Haydock Park

Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Superior Mile Stakes (Group 3) 1.15
Cicero’s Gift (nap)
Charlie Hills can take the opener on Haydock’s Saturday card with Cicero’s Gift. With just the five career starts on turf, this Muhaarar colt remains unexposed, and has conditions to suit. Cicero’s Gift’s last run at Goodwood on good to firm ground was clearly too quick, so a line can be drawn through that race where he trailed in last of seven, but otherwise he has a fine strike rate. Sir Michael Stoute’s Regal Reality is a regular visitor here, and has finished third in this race twice before, while Richard Hannon’s Witch Hunter seems to be finally finding his feet this term, when runner-up by a nose to Tiber Flow in the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury Park last month. That completes the shortlist, but Cicero’s Gift will find the ground he needs, so gets the vote.

Betfair Exchange Old Borough Cup Handicap 2.25
Waxing Gibbous
A chance is taken on David Menuisier’s Waxing Gibbous for the Old Borough Handicap. With just the three starts this term, this Sea The Moon filly hasn’t had a hard season, and this step up in trip on good to soft ground could be just the ticket. Ian Williams’s Oneforthegutter outran his odds of 25/1 to finish a fine third in the Ebor at York, so rates a big danger with Ryan Moore booked for the trip, while Harry Eustace’s Divine Comedy could also have a say if coping with this sharper trip. Waxing Gibbous and Hollie Doyle to score from a lenient mark.

Betfair Be Friendly Handicap 3.00
Shagraan
Oisin Murphy takes up the reins on Shagraan for this valuable Handicap, and there’s every chance of a visit to the winner’s enclosure for Mick Appleby’s charge. With an entry in the diary for the Flying Five Stakes at The Curragh, this Sioux Nation gelding is clearly highly rated by connections, and a draw in Stall 4 just adds to the appeal. Karl Burke’s Looking For Lynda can give the selection the most to think about, but Shagraan is the one to beat.

Betfair Sprint Cup Stakes (Group 1) 3.35
Inisherin (nb)
All the stars look aligned for Inisherin to score in the feature, with a course and distance win in the Sandy Lane Stakes here in May the standout piece of form for this Group 1. It will be Karl Burke’s pair of Elite Status and Swingalong that can give Kevin Ryan’s Inisherin the most trouble, especially with Elite Status lining up in the stall next door to the selection, and sure to put plenty of pace on from the off. Clive Cox’s Jasour looks potentially smart as a sprinter, but has pulled too hard in his last couple of runs, so if Jim Crowley can keep the lid on, then he’s another with every chance. Inisherin to score, with Elite Status to make him work for it, while Jasour is the each-way angle.

Betfair Daily Tips On Betting.Betfair Ascendant Stakes (Listed) 4.07
Luther
It could pay to side with Charlie Fellowes’s Luther for this Listed contest. There’ll be far more cut in the ground than in his previous two starts at Salisbury, but this Frankel colt has impressed so far and deserves to line up for some Black Type. Charlie Appleby’s Age Of Gold might take this step up in trip, while the hat-trick seeking Linwood also makes the shortlist, but Luther gets the nudge.

Kempton Park

Unibet Sirenia Stakes (Group 3) 2.00
It Ain’t Two
An All-Weather debut for Hugo Palmer’s It Ain’t Two, but this Calyx filly could be the answer to this Group 3 contest. She’s had a busy time of it this year, scoring just eight days ago on the Roodee at Chester, but seems to be in great form, so if this race doesn’t come too soon, every chance of building on that last win. Adrian Keatley’s Symbol Of Strength has been well supported this week, while Sylvester Kirk’s Brian also enters calculations. The chance is taken on It Ain’t Two finding her feet on Kempton Park’s all-weather surface.

Unibet September Stakes (Group 3) 2.35
Kalpana
A small field but a fascinating race all the same. The outstanding Hamish from William Haggas’s Somerville Lodge yard won this in 2021, but after an underwhelming run returned to that track in November, has been kept solely to the turf since. The progressive Lion’s Pride from John & Thady Gosdens’ yard is a course and distance winner, and with four stable wins from the last six renewals of this Group 3 contest, must be high on the shortlist. However, Andrew Balding’s Kalpana gets the final vote as this Study Of Man filly is already three from six in her first season, including a win at Wolverhampton and a fine second to Inisherin at Newcastle. Kalpana has shown she can act on all-weather surfaces, and in receipt of a stone from Hamish and 11lbs from Lion’s Pride, has to be in with a huge shout.

The Mandarin