The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections for 21st July 2024

The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections from The Curragh

Sycamore Lodge Equine Hospital Irish EBF Fillies Maiden 1.40
Red Letter
This Frankel filly showed enough in the final stages of her debut run here to get the vote for the opener. She went off joint favourite for that maiden over course and distance, and only went down by a head to Lake Victoria but this pair were both well clear of the field. She’s entitled to come on for that run and Colin Keane returns to the saddle to try to go one better. Red Letter to post her first win

Jebel Ali Racecourse And Stables Anglesey Stakes (Group 3) 2.10
Babouche (nap)
Another one lining up in the Juddmonte silks, and Ger Lyons wastes no time in sending her into Pattern company. Her first run at Cork was mightily impressive, forging 5 lengths clear of a big field, and she showed plenty of toe from the off. Joseph O’Brien’s Cowardofthecounty was a close up seventh in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot last month, so rates the obvious danger, while Adrian Murray’s California Dreamer has had four starts and looks a consistent sort. Aidan O’Brien will be hoping that Camille Pissarro comes on for his Coventry Stakes run where he was no better than midfield, and does look the stable first string with Ryan Moore up top, but the chance is taken on Babouche to replicate her Cork run. Exciting

Newbridge Silverware Sprint Handicap 2.45
Kendall Roy
Kate McGivern holds the key to this 5 furlong dash with Kendall Roy. This Twilight Son gelding has already won three from five starts this term, with a runners-up spot to add to that, and although down the field in the Rockingham Handicap last month, these are far calmer waters and he can dominate from the top of the weights. Stall 9 isn’t ideal, but Hugh Horgan’s 5lb claim is a useful offset. On the premises, with Ostraka and Eruption to keep him honest

Romanised Minstrel Stakes (Group 2) 3.15
Poet Master
British raider Poet Master can go in for the in form Karl Burke. The Spigot Lodge handler has been having a fine season with his sprinters, and has tasted Classic success on Irish soil when taking the 1,000 Guineas here at Headquarters with Fallen Angel. Of course, the hat-trick seeking Mutasarref is sure to get plenty of support and has course and distance form in the book, while Mountain Bear outran his huge odds (50/1) to finish fourth to Haatem in the Jersey Stakes at Ascot’s Royal meeting, so also enters calculations. Poet Master to write his own lines for Group 2 honours

Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap 3.45
Breathe Again
The chance is taken on Sheila Lavery’s Breathe Again to take this Fillies Handicap from the bottom of the weights. She was a running-on third of nine at Limerick two weeks back, with the drop back to a mile seeming to suit, and just 4 lengths behind the useful Flight Of Fancy. Siobhan Rutledge returns to the saddle with a 3lb claim and cheekpieces are on. In the mix

Al Shira’aa Racing Meadow Court Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies & Mares) 4.20
American Sonja (nb)
This looks quite a strong race for the grade, but the one that stands out is the globetrotting American Sonja. It’s easy to draw a line after her last run at Saratoga, where she was pushed widest of all rounding the home turn, though she was still making rapid progress in the final furlong. Back at The Curragh, American Sonja has a fine record, and was a runner-up over this course and distance last September. Already a winner at ParisLongchamp this term, American Sonja can serve it up to the smart Jackie Oh, who makes her seasonal reappearance here, while the prolific Sparks Fly completes the shortlist. American Sonja to score for Joseph O’Brien now back on home soil

The Mandarin