The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections for 16th July 2023

The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections from Perth & Chantilly

Perth

PKAVS Empowering Communities In Perthshire Handicap Hurdle 3.40
Petit Rhapsody
Lucinda Russell’s Shirocco gelding knows this course well, having made 15 starts here. He’s too often been the bridesmaid though, with three runners-up spots and two thirds, but both his career wins have come on this track. There’s sure to be plenty of support for Shallow River, but he has to give a whopping 19lbs to the selection. Any errors from Shallow River and Petit Rhapsody will be there to mop up

PKAVS Walled Garden And Wisecraft Handicap Chase 4.15
Born Famous
It’s hard to get away from the appeal of Born Famous for this Class 3 Handicap Chase. She’s been a different horse altogether since the move from Claire O’Connell’s Irish base to Iain Jardine, winning her last three starts, including here twice. Born Famous remains unexposed over fences, and can continue the good run of form at the expense of Ben Pauling’s Norley

Scottish Racing Academy Handicap Hurdle 4.50
Petrastar (nb)
David Jeffreys has made the long trip up from his yard at Evesham, but with three Cheltenham winners already under his belt, the young trainer is quickly making a name for himself. He will be hoping that the trip is worthwhile with Petrastar, and returned to timber the Passing Glance gelding must have a great chance of adding to the tally. Already a three time course winner from just as many starts, he clearly likes it here, and is easy to back

Chantilly

Prix Robert Papin (Group 2) 1.33
Ramatuelle
Christopher Head has a smart one in his local yard here with Ramatuelle, who should justify the short price to step up to Group 2 success. Already a Group 3 winner over course and distance last month, this Justify filly showed plenty of toe last time out, and should find conditions to suit once more. Irish raider His Majesty rates the main threat, but Patrice Cottier’s Classic Flower is another speedy type that should be in the mix too. The trainer’s having a fine time of things this season, with dual Classic winner Blue Rose Cen the yard’s star, and he can add more Pattern success here

Prix Messidor (Group 3) 2.50
Erevann (nap)
This Group 3 contest can go to the home team with Erevann, who takes a marked drop in grade here. His fifth of six in the Group 1 Prix d’Ispahan was a better result than it looks, as just a short-head separated each of the four chasing home Owen Burrows’ Anmaat in a blanket finish. These are far calmer waters, so Erevann is the one to beat

Darley Prix Chloe (Group 3) (Fillies) 3.25
Araminta
The raiding parties from across the Channel shouldn’t go home empty handed when Araminta picks up the last of the Group races on Sunday’s Chantilly card. Last seen scoring in good style in a Listed Fillies’ race at Goodwood, Henry Candy’s Gleneagles filly will be returning to the Sussex track to line up in the Group 1 Nassau Stakes next month, so this Group 3 should be a nice warm-up. Lots to like about her last win, and she should be winning this

The Mandarin