The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections for 23rd July 2023

The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections from The Curragh

Cavalor Equine Nutrition Irish EBF Fillies Maiden 2.00
Mayfair (nap)
Bred in the purple, being sired by the unbeaten US colt Justify, the stable star of Bob Baffert in 2018, Mayfair’s racecourse debut is eagerly anticipated. Bred to go further in time, as Justify was a Kentucky Derby winner, this 7 furlong trip looks a good starting point and she is out of Clemmie, whose best form came at 6 furlongs. The choice of Ryan Moore, and fascinating to see how she fares on her first run

Irish EBF Median Sires Series Maiden 2.30
Letsbefrankaboutit
Paddy Twomey’s Sioux Nation colt cost a pretty penny as a two year old, and with Group entries in the diary here and at York’s Ebor meeting, interesting on his debut under rules. This would look a good entry to his Juvenile campaign for a trainer bringing in the winners, and Billy Lee is sure to get him into the mix. Well related, and every chance of getting off to a winning start

Romanised Minstrel Stakes (Group 2) 3.00
Tarawa (nb)
A terrific renewal in store with quite a few likely types, but Dermot Weld’s Tarawa makes the most appeal. A runner-up here on her last run when sent off favourite, only to go down to Bold Discovery at long odds, she can go one better here for her veteran trainer, one of Ireland’s finest. Power Under Me, Jumbly and Cosmic Vega all have to give her lumps of weight, so John Murphy’s Lord Massusus may rate the main danger. With Chris Hayes in the saddle, Tarawa is the one to beat, despite the wide draw

Michael John Kennedy Memorial Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies & Mares) 4.00
Jackie Oh
Aidan O’Brien’s filly didn’t put her best foot forward in the Sandringham Stakes at Royal Ascot, but is given another chance here. The ground may have been a bit too quick for her there, but her runs at Naas and Navan earlier this season on heavy going should show her in a better light now with some cut in the ground. She still holds Group 1 entries next month at Goodwood and York, so can use this aa a warm-up for those bigger dates. Go close

QuinnBet Irish EBF Maiden 5.00
Fisherman’s Beach
It may pay to side with Joseph O’Brien for the final Maiden on Sunday’s card, with Fisherman’s Beach the pick of his trio. The Sea The Stars gelding did enough on his racecourse debut at Limerick to get the nudge for this. Slow to get going in that race, but got the hang of things later on to see out the 12 furlong trip well, and should only come on for that run. Jockey booking suggests he’s the stable first string, so Fisherman’s Beach to break the duck on just his second start

The Mandarin