The Mandarin’s Saturday Selections from York, Newmarket & Ascot

The Mandarin’s Saturday Selections from York, Newmarket & Ascot

York

John Smith’s City Wall Stakes (Listed) 2.35
Great State
Richard Fahey’s Havana Grey gelding has had a fine year so far, winning three of his five starts. He could only place in the Scurry Stakes at Sandown Park last month, however, so needs to bounce back from that lesser effort. That said, Great State won here over course and distance back in May in a Listed contest, so is clearly up to this grade. In the mix

John Smith’s Cup Handicap (Heritage Handicap) 3.10
Sonny Liston
He finished the leader of the Stand side group in the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot, only finding stablemate Jimi Hendrix too good, so every chance he can go one better here. The move from Charlie Hills’ yard to Ralph Beckett seems to have eked out more, and with both trainer and jockey, Danny Tudhope in fine form Sonny Liston should be in the thick of things once more. Super each-way value at the least

John Smith’s Silver Cup Stakes (Listed) 3.45
Hamish (nb)
William Haggas’s stayer has relatively few miles on the clock for a seven year old, and looked better than ever when landing the Ormonde Stakes at Chester on his seasonal reappearance back in May. That Group 3 contest was on soft ground, so Friday’s downpour should be a big help considering his form on going with plenty of cut in it. Two from two over course and distance here, so it’s horses for courses, and Hamish is the one to beat

Newmarket

bet365 Mile Handicap 2.50
Havana Blue
Lining up on a hat-trick after scoring here twice this term in 7 furlong contests, Clive Cox’s colt seems to like it on this Suffolk track. The Handicapper’s taken note, however, so he’s got a 6lb rise to cope with, but in his current form can’t be ignored. Ryan Moore takes up the reins as a notable jockey booking, so Havana Blue to go in once more

bet365 Superlative Stakes (Group 2) 3.25
Haatem
Racing experience could count for plenty in this Group 2 contest for the youngsters, so the vote goes to Richard Hannon’s Haatem. His fifth spot in the field of twenty for the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, a race won by the exciting River Tiber, gave notice of his potential, and there were a couple of classy types in front of him as well as Aidan O’Brien’s winner. Has already attracted a triple figure rating, and should go well again with the step up in trip a plus

bet365 Bunbury Cup (Heritage Handicap) 4.00
Streets Of Gold
A typically competitive renewal but it may pay to side with Eve Johnson Houghton’s Streets Of Gold. This Havana Gold colt gets to line up from a decent mark as the only three year old in the field, and a repeat of his performance in the Group 3 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot puts him right in the mix for this hot handicap. The big dangers are Awaal, second in the Lincoln, and Montassib who won here on the Rowley course in May, but Streets Of Gold is a great each-way angle

Pertemps Network July Cup Stakes (Group 1) 4.35
Kinross
There’s sure to plenty of support for the prolific Shaquille, who has now won five on the trot after scoring in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot last month. However, Julie Camacho’s colt does have issues loading into the stalls, and getting out of them too, so comes with risks attached. After Friday’s incessant rain, it may be worth taking him on with Kinross, who will relish this extra cut in the ground. The winner of the Champions Sprint at Ascot at the back end of last season capped off a brilliant campaign in Europe with a fine third in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Keeneland. The welcome rain should give Kinross every chance of more Group 1 glory, with William Buick booked for the trip in the absence of Frankie Dettori

Ascot

Fred Cowley MBE Memorial Summer Mile Stakes (Group 2) 2.20
Aldaary (nap)
William Haggas’s lightly raced five year old has a terrific record on this track, with three wins from five races, and is expected to be right on the money once more. The extra dig in the ground after Friday’s constant rain can only play into Aldaary’s favour, and he’s preferred to ante-post favourite, Master Of The Seas from Charlie Appleby’s Moulton Paddocks yard. Conditions in his favour, so Aldaary is the one to follow, with ultra cool Jim Crowley up top to bring him home

The Mandarin