The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections for 22nd September 2024

The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections from Plumpton & Listowel

Plumpton

Oakleaf Builders Sussex Mares’ Maiden Hurdle 2.20
Dameofthecotswolds
The opener on Plumpton’s Sunday card can go to Dameofthecotswolds. Nigel Twiston-Davies’s filly returned from a four month break to finish a one and a half length runner-up at Worcester eleven days ago, still pressing at the finish, and can go one better on Plumpton’s more demanding track. With plenty of rain about overnight and into Sunday here on the south coast, Dameofthecotswolds will have to cope with the extra cut in the ground, but this is still a good opportunity to shed the maiden tag over timber. The one to beat.

Weatherby’s nhstallions.co.uk Novices’ Handicap Chase 2.50
Belgarum
Joe Tizzard will be hoping for a bit of relief from the rain for Belgarum, but the Shirocco gelding still looks the best option for this Novices’ Handicap Chase. He was impressive enough at Fontwell last time out, seeing nearly 10 lengths of daylight behind when pulling away through the line, suggesting there’s more to come. Vastly different conditions here, but the drop in trip should help weather the sapping ground, and the excellent Freddie Gingell’s in charge of getting the job done. Every chance.

Happy 65th Birthday Peter Mellett Juvenile Hurdle 3.20
Rogue King
Up and coming trainer James Owen holds the key to this Juvenile Hurdle with Rogue King. This Sea The Stars gelding was a runner-up on his hurdling bow at Stratford, before another decent effort on the all-weather at Southwell in July. A winner over 12 furlongs on the flat, there’s every chance he’ll get this trip in time, but the conditions here are a bit of an unknown, though there’s some form on soft in the breeding. Chance taken.

Peter J. Taylor Memorial Handicap Chase 4.20
Kauto The King
Given the cut in the ground expected down on the south coast on Sunday, it could pay to side with Joe Tizzard’s Kauto The King. He’s in fine form, fresh from a win at Newton Abbot three weeks back, and can cope with these conditions better than most. Fully exposed considering this will be his 40th start over fences, but sure to put in a good shift once again. Tom George’s Stormin Crossgales rates the obvious threat, but giving Kauto The King 10lbs should tip the balance in the selection’s favour.

Listowel

Charleville Cheese 3-Y-O Hurdle 2.00
Teriferma (nap)
This Three-Year-Old Hurdle can go to Joseph O’Brien’s Teriferma to bring up the hat-trick over timber, after wins at Killarney and Down Royal. He showed plenty for pressure, and surely has more to come after jumping with plenty of fluency at Down Royal, so no doubting the attitude and in good hands. Action Plan will be the one to give the selection the most to think about, but Teriferma gets the nudge.

Cheesestrings Irish EBF Mares Hurdle 2.30
Paggane (nb)
This looks a good opportunity for Paggane to make it three wins over timber. Willie Mullins’s mare has been on the go since her debut under rules back in November of last year, but was hardly thrown-in when pitched into a Listed contest at the Punchestown Festival in May, so this looks a whole lot easier returning to that two and a half mile trip. Willie Mullins is right at the top of his game this year, and has nailed this race twice out of the last three, and can add to the tally here.

The Mandarin