The Mandarin’s Saturday Selections for 8th June 2024

The Mandarin’s Saturday selections from Haydock Park, Navan & Beverley

Haydock Park

Betfred Passionate About Sport Achilles Stakes (Listed) 1.50
Live In The Dream (nap)
Adam West’s stable star dined at the top table last year when landing the Group 1 Nunthorpe at York, and looks hard to oppose in this grade. This Prince Of Lir gelding travelled over to America for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita, finishing a fine fourth, and has started this campaign well when second here over course and distance in the Group 2 Temple Stakes last month. Expect a bold challenge from the front, and he should come on for that run in the Temple Stakes to justify favouritism

Betfred Nifty 50 Lester Piggott Fillies’ Stakes (Group 3) 3.00
Night Sparkle
The move to Andrew Balding seems to have eked out more improvement when starting this season with the runners-up spot in the Bronte Cup Fillies’ Stakes at York. She was in the lead passing the 2 furlong post and only collared late on by Henry de Bromhead’s Term Of Endearment, not helped when bumped by that rival. This drop back in trip might be just the ticket, though William Haggas’s Sea Theme looks a real danger for a stable that has won this the last two seasons. John & Thady Gosden’s Queen Of The Pride made a bright start to her campaign when second in a Listed Fillies race at Goodwood, so also makes the shortlist. Night Sparkle to shine on this shorter trip, so gets our tip

Betfred John Of Gaunt Stakes (Group 3) 3.35
Witch Hunter (nb)
Last seen a fine third in the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury Park, Richard Hannon’s Siyouni gelding is off to Royal Ascot later this month and can bag this Group 3 en route. Although no match for the Lockinge winner Audience, who outran his odds to make all for Group 1 honours, Witch Hunter had our choice, Inspiral 4 lengths back, and that’s strong form for this grade. Recent Newmarket handicap winner Noble Dynasty is a danger stepped up to Pattern company, but Witch Hunter gets the nudge

Navan

Darley Irish EBF Kooyonga Stakes (Listed) (Fillies & Mares) 3.30
Asian Daze
The chance is taken on Johnny Murtagh’s Asian Daze for this Listed contest. She’s started this campaign well with a win at The Curragh over 7 furlongs before a solid third in a valuable Fillies’ Handicap back at Headquarters. The main threat is likely to come from Aidan O’Brien’s Everlasting, last seen in the Irish 1,000 Guineas and swimming in calmer waters here, but Asian Daze has more to come and gets the vote

Beverley

Hilary Needler Trophy EBF Fillies’ Conditions Stakes 2.05
Larchill Lass
Karl Burke’s at the top of his game right now with Guineas success at The Curragh last month, so Larchill Lass can continue the good run. She’s been runner-up on both her starts here at Beverley this season, but a trip to Carlisle saw her shed the maiden tag with an impressive 3 length win, eased in the final yards. That said, she’s drawn out wide in Stall 15 which is a concern with the huge advantage at Beverley that low-drawn runners get, so she’s likely to go off at an attractive price and makes plenty of each way appeal

bet365 Two Year Old Trophy Conditions Stakes (Colts & Geldings) 2.40
Moving Force
Considering the price that Fortification fetched at the Breeze-Ups, Karl Burke’s Not This Time colt is sure to go off a warm order favourite for this Conditions race. However, Moving Force won over course and distance last month on his debut under rules in good style so tips the scales in his favour. On breeding pedigree, Moving Force is likely to go further in time, but can make it two from two here

The Mandarin