The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections for 21st December 2025
The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections from Lingfield
Free Tips Daily On attheraces.com EBF Junior “National Hunt” Hurdle 1.00
Aqua Bleu
Warren Greatrex’s youngster has to give 7lbs to the field here for an easy success at Doncaster, but can go in again for the in form trainer. The result was never in doubt once Kielan Woods entered the home straight and made his move, and actually that was a cosy enough win. Softer ground is an unknown so far, but Aqua Bleu has the racing experience under his belt and James Owen takes up the reins. The one to beat!
BetWright Bet The Wright Way Mares’ Maiden Hurdle 1.30
Sea Presenting (nap)
The consistent Sea Presenting could be the answer to this Mares’ Maiden, and should improve for her second run after a wind op. Of course, Ben Pauling has the Midas Touch in the run up to the busy Christmas schedule, so Rock Sensation is sure to have her supporters, but got no further than the second hurdle on her first run over the sticks at Hereford. If she gets the hang of the hurdling, then there’s every chance she’ll act on this ground and be in the mix. Richard Bandey’s Sevarana completes my three, but it’s Sea Presenting that has the strongest case for.
BetWright Bangers N’Cash Handicap Hurdle 2.00
Diamond Geezer (nb)
Olly Murphy’s Diamond Geezer is taken to appreciate the step up in trip and score here. Winning at Perth two runs back earns him the penalty, and I can gloss over the latest outing at Warwick where Ben Pauling’s winner was too far away to be caught, and I’d expect that this extra 4 furlongs should bring about more improvement, with no concerns over the going. Diamond Geezer to get upsides of Fergal O’Brien’s Harmony Heights in a pretty ordinary affair.
BeatWright Beat The Wright Way Handicap Chase 2.30
Jaipaletemps
I’m finding this Handicap Chase a bit of a puzzle, with pros and cons for quite a few of these. However, as this is our last YouTube production before the busy Christmas schedule kicks off on Boxing Day, let us at least get something of a Festive Box for our regulars. So, with a tentative prod, David Pipe’s Jaipaletemps makes enough appeal, with proven form over soft ground and Rian Corcoran has been building up a good relationship with the selection, and his 10lb claim is a useful offset. Diplomatic Ash and Boston Boy have some form to go on, but Jaipaletemps gets the vote.
BetWright Safer Gambling Handicap Chase 3.00
Doctor Ken
Well, we will not know what to expect from Robbie Llewellyn’s No Tackle, who can be a bit in and out, so the safer bet is Olly Murphy’s Doctor Ken. Again, it’s another race where plenty of questions can be asked about a few of these, not least Paul Nicholls’ Tahmuras, who has failed to finish in his last three starts, and supposedly is dropped in grade to resurrect this campaign. Venetia Williams’ Bucksy Des Epeires could improve for this longer trip, while Dartmoor Pirate may have something to offer for the in form Anthony Honeyball. In the final analysis, Doctor Ken gets the nudge.
