The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections for 14th April 2024

The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections from ParisLongchamp

Prix Lord Seymour (Listed) 12.58
Goliath
It could pay to stick with Francis-Henri Graffard’s Goliath for the opener on Sunday. Last seen a fast finishing fourth in the Group 3 Prix Prince d’Orange in September, a race won by the smart Horizon Dore, and having won his first three starts last season, he should be primed to win on his first outing. Christian Demuro takes up the reins, and on this deep ground, Goliath is the one to beat

Prix Noailles (Group 3) 1.33
Bright Picture (nap)
Andre Fabre’s Bright Picture was unbeaten in two starts last Autumn, and showed that he’s trained on when scoring at Saint-Cloud on his seasonal reappearance. He had Clandagan and Trafalgar Square behind him in that Listed contest, so can make it four from four here. Ground and trip to suit, and Group honours to go in the form book

Prix de la Grotte (Group 3) 2.50
Tulipa Chope
Jean-Claude Rouget’s Born To Sea filly had a prolific campaign last year, winning three of her five starts, and looks the one to beat here. She already has Group form at this level in the book, and showed plenty of toe when landing the Listed Criterium du Fonds at Deauville on soft ground in her previous run, storming through from the rear of the field in the final quarter mile. If she’s trained on, has a big campaign ahead of her this season, starting here

Prix de Fontainebleau (Group 3) 3.25
Beauvatier
Beauvatier’s fine third in the Group 1 Prix Jean -Luc Lagardere is the standout form in this line-up. That race, won by British raider Rosallion from Richard Hannon’s yard, was the first time that Beauvatier had been beaten in a brilliant Juvenile campaign. This Group 3 looks a good starting point for his Classic season, if coping with the extra cut in the ground. Ramadan lines up here with race-fitness assured after an easy win at Saint-Cloud on heavy going, and Ten Horns can make the frame too. Beauvatier was the outstanding two year old colt in France last year, and would be expected to win this

Prix Jacquies Laffitte (Listed) 4.00
Mqse De Sevigne (nb)
Last seen as runner-up to Inspiral in the Sun Chariot at Newmarket, Andre Fabre’s filly gets a little workout here dropped in grade to a Listed contest. She’s a Siyouni filly, so will relish this deep ground, and this should be start of a big summer for the five year old. Her win in the Prix Jean Romanet, where she just collared the smart Via Sistina on the line was one of the best Group 1 races in France last year. Mqse De Sevigne to get the better of Skalleti and make a winning start to this campaign

The Mandarin