The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections for 19th May 2024

The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections from Naas

Coolmore Stud Calyx Race 1.50
Treasure Isle
Aidan O’Brien can take the opener on the Naas card with Treasure Isle, who is the only runner lining up here with a race under his belt. He put in a decent shift for Ryan Moore on his debut under rules at The Curragh, leading in the final 2 furlongs before getting collared by Joseph O’Brien’s Midnight Strike. However, that was encouraging enough, so this No Nay Never colt gets to follow in River Tiber’s footsteps and take this back to the Ballydoyle yard, ahead of Jessica Harrington’s Saratoga Special

Sole Power Sprint Stakes (Listed) 2.20
Aesop’s Fables
Aesop’s Fables certainly looked in need of the run when 7th of 10 at The Curragh on his seasonal reappearance, so we should see the real article here. His third in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita is the outstanding piece of form for this Listed contest, and the drier ground should be just the ticket. Aesop’s Fables won his first two starts and has since been highly tried without adding to the tally, but this looks a good opportunity to get his campaign back on a winning track. Hard to oppose, at a price to match

Coolmore Stud Irish EBF Fillies Sprint Stakes (Group 3) 2.50
Sparkling Sea (nap)
Ger Lyons’s Starspangledbanner filly could not have been any more impressive on her debut over course and distance, so is taken to double up here. There wasn’t much for Colin Keane to do from the saddle once Sparkling Sea got into her stride, and she went through the line under hands and heels to score by two and a half lengths. Barnavara also went in at the first time of asking for the in-form Jessica Harrington, and rates the main danger, so these are the one-two. Sparkling Sea has more to come and looks exciting, so gets the vote

Owenstown Stud Stakes (Listed) 3.20
Yosemite Valley
A fascinating clash between Yosemite Valley and Tarawa, with preference for the former. Yosemite Valley has the benefit of race-fitness after a win at The Curragh last month in the Gladness Stakes, where the re-opposing Mutasarref was 4 lengths back in third. That said, Donnacha O’Brien withdrew Yosemite Valley from the Amethyst Stakes last week, presumably on account of faster ground, so it’s taken on trust that the going won’t be too quick here. Tarawa was highly tried last season, so is a decent rival, but Yosemite Valley is the one to beat

Goffs Lacken Stakes (Group 3) 3.55
Bucanero Fuerte (nb)
Last year’s Phoenix Stakes winner Bucanero Fuerte makes an eagerly anticipated return to the racetrack here in this 6 furlong sprint. One of the best Juveniles in Europe last year, along with Beauvatier in France and Britain’s Vandeek, he’s been kept to the sprinting division by connections, and there’s every chance this Wootton Bassett colt will be even better at three. Jessica Harrington has her string in fine fettle, so Givemethebeatboys can give Bucanero Fuerte plenty to think about in a thrilling clash

The Mandarin