The Mandarin’s Saturday Selections for 8th July 2023

The Mandarin’s Saturday Selections from Sandown Park & Saint-Cloud

Sandown Park

Coral Charge (Group 3) 1.50
Tiber Flow
An interesting renewal where it may pay to side with William Haggas’s Tiber Flow. He’s a smart sort that won the Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle last Saturday, showing a good attitude to get upsides of Spycatcher in the final furlong. Tiber Flow has to line up under a penalty for that win, but has a useful draw in stall 2. In the mix

Coral Charge 2.25
Sceptic
Andrew Balding’s Sceptic goes to post here in fine form, having bolted up at Goodwood last time out. This No Nay Never gelding remains unexposed after just the four turf starts, and has Hollie Doyle as a notable jockey booking. Every chance that there’s more to come, and solid each way claims at the least

Coral Distaff (Listed) (Fillies) 3.00
Stenton Glider
Last seen in mid-division in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket, Hugo Palmer’s Dandy Man filly should find this an easier assignment. She showcased her talent earlier this season when runner-up in the Fred Darling back in April, and has had a break since her Classic run. There’s plenty of likely types in this field, not least of them Richard Hannon’s Magical Sunset and John Quinn’s Breege, and these are the three that make most appeal

Coral-Eclipse (Group 1) 3.40
Emily Upjohn (nap)
It is slightly disappointing to see just the four runners lining up for one of the flat racing season’s highlights, but this year’s renewal looks a straight showdown between Emily Upjohn and Paddington. There’s a 7lb pull in Paddington’s favour, the three year old colt who is unbeaten in four starts this term, but this is his third Group 1 contest in the space of six weeks. He’s clearly one of the best of the crop at Aidan O’Brien’s Ballydoyle yard, and he looked to have this trip in his range when beating 2,000 Guineas winner, Chaldean in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. However, the vote goes to the classy four year old filly, Emily Upjohn, who looked better than ever in the Coronation Cup at Epsom last month, and arrives here with fewer miles on the clock this season. Fascinating

Saint-Cloud

Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (Group 1) 3.55
Westover (nb)
It is easy to back British raider Westover for this Group 1 in what looks like an ordinary race for the grade. That will be obvious in the betting, but it’s hard to see past Ralph Beckett’s Frankel colt, with the re-opposing Tunnes needing to find 12 lengths on the selection from their last clash in the Coronation Cup at Epsom, the race won by Emily Upjohn in striking fashion. Westover, the class act of this field, is very hard to oppose if coping with the ground, and should be winning this

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