The Mandarin’s Selections for 10th February 2024

The Mandarin’s Saturday Selections from Warwick, Newbury & Naas

Warwick

Trustatrader Warwick Mares’ Hurdle (Listed) 2.20
You Wear It Well
No match for Marie’s Rock in a Grade 2 at Doncaster last month, but put in a decent shift there, and this looks a whole lot easier. Jamie Snowden’s mare already has Black Type in the form book this season, having scored from the front at Listed level on her seasonal reappearance at Wetherby in November, and should be up to winning this. Easy to back, at a price to match

FGD Kingmaker Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) 3.30
Matata
It’s very hard to get away from the appeal of Matata for this Grade 2 Novices’ Chase. Just held off by JPR One in the Lightning at Lingfield last month, Matata was 7 lengths to the good of the re-opposing Pembroke. There’s still a 3lb pull in Matata’s favour, so no reason to expect a reversal of those placings. Matata the one to beat

Newbury

Betfair Denman Chase (Grade 2) 2.05
Shiskin (nap)
This season hasn’t gone according to plan for Nicky Henderson’s brilliant chaser. Having lined up a short odds-on favourite for the 1965 Chase at Ascot in November, only for Nico de Bonville to fail to find the starting switch, redemption was almost in sight when leading the way home in the King George VI on Boxing Day, before unseating 2 out. However, he’s the class act of this field, and is surely due some luck in 2024. Protektorat is a classy one on his day, so will be ready to pick up the pieces should Shiskin make any more errors

Betfair Exchange Game Spirit Chase (Grade 2) 2.40
Boothill
With no Jonbon lining up here, Alan King will be fancying his chances with Edwardstone, but we’ll take a chance with Boothill. Harry Fry’s Presenting gelding has made his mark twice this season at Ascot, and if he can convert that course form to Newbury, may well spoil the party for Edwardstone. That said, this deep ground will suit Alan King’s charge, while Newbury specialist, Amarillo Sky goes well fresh and rates another danger. Boothill to continue to progress and put some Pattern form into the book

Betfair Hurdle (Premier Handicap) 3.15
Ocastle Des Mottes
A gamble is taken on the latest French import from Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, and plenty of ante-post money is surely down to the form of Willie Mullins’s Closutton yard. Virtually untouchable at the Dublin Racing Festival last weekend, his latest recruit won’t be complaining about this ground, and hardly looks thrown in on his French form. Altobelli looks the best of the rest for Harry Fry, but Ocastle Des Mottes is a fascinating play for this hot handicap

Betfair Exchange Beacons Bumper (Listed) 4.25
Union Avenue
James Moffat’s Shantou gelding is on a bit of a roll in these Bumpers, scoring at Kelso on his seasonal reappearance and doubling up at Aintree on Boxing Day. He was impressive enough in that last run to get the tick here in the hat-trick bid, with Charlotte Jones returning to the saddle a big plus. Paul Nicholls’s Histrionic ran well enough for third here over course and distance back in November, but Union Avenue can bring up the three-timer

Naas

BBA Ireland Limited Opera Hat Mares Chase (Listed) 3.40
Allegorie De Vassy (nb)
A good renewal in store for the Opera Hat, despite the declared field of just the four. The ready preference is for Allegorie De Vassy, who has three wins and three runners-up spots and a third from her seven chasing starts. With Willie Mullins sending out winners for fun, Allegorie De Vassy can serve it up to the useful Riviere D’etel in a fascinating race

The Mandarin