The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections for 24th September 2023

The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections from The Curragh

Irish EBF Median Sires Series Maiden 1.20
Surfers Paradise
Surfers Paradise was fourth on debut here behind the smart Diego Velazquez, but showed enough to get the tick for this. Upped in trip to a mile, and with recent form over the re-opposing Marty The Party, this Ten Sovereigns colt should be losing the maiden tag soon enough. This looks a fine opportunity, so it’s Surfers Paradise to score for Joseph O’Brien in the opener

Pat ‘The Duke’ Leavy Irish EBF Maiden 1.50
No Knee Never
The chance is taken on No Knee Never on his racecourse debut. Out of the same dam as Ballyroan Stakes winner, Latrobe, and Pink Dogwood, who won over 10 furlongs, this No Nay Never colt is sure to go further in time, but this looks a good starting point. Plenty here with a bit of racing experience under their belts, not least House Of Aviz and Gesture, but No Knee Never looks an interesting newcomer, so gets the nudge

Weld Park Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies) 2.25
Sakti (nap)
Ger Lyons will be hoping that his Caravaggio filly will be going one place better than on her last two starts, where she hit the bar both times. That said, her last run here over course and distance in the Group 2 Debutante Stakes gave notice that she warrants respect, and eased in grade, looks the one to follow for this Group 3. Colin Keane has been booked for the trip, and Sakti can get Black Type into the book here

Westgrove Hotel Renaissance Stakes (Group 3) 3.00
Ocean Quest
She landed her second win of this season at Naas four weeks back, showing plenty of toe in the final 2 furlongs. Though Jessica Harrington’s yard is having a bit of a quiet spell, Ocean Quest is one going the right way, with Ado McGuinness’s Go Athletico looking the main danger. Big Gossey lines up here after a decent win in a course and distance handicap two weeks back, so is another on the shortlist, but Ocean Quest has a really good attitude, so is taken to double up on the Naas win

Fitzpatrick’s Garage Group Nursery Handicap 3.35
Vestigia
Sheila Lavery might have the answer to this Nursery Handicap with Vestigia, who showed enough here last time out to get our vote. The Footstepsinthesand colt stayed on well in a valuable Sales Race last time out to suggest the step up to 7 furlongs will suit. Still a maiden after three starts, but in good hands and sure to go close if continuing to progress

Friends Of The Curragh Irish Cesarewitch (Premier Handicap) 4.10
Echoes In Rain (nb)
Willie Mullins has been targeting these valuable handicaps for some time now, and sends out last year’s runner-up, Echoes In Rain to head his big team. A dual Grade 1 winning hurdler, she had a nice warm up for this in a 12 furlong spin at Galway earlier this month, finishing a running-on third, so should relish this extra trip. Colin Keane booked for the trip adds to the appeal, and easy to back

The Mandarin