The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections for 27th July 2025
The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections from Pontefract
British EBF Stallion Studs Maiden Stakes 1.55
Chairmanfourtimes
Adrian Keatley’s Chairmanfourtimes will be expected to be winning this, and I can’t see any reason why he won’t. This Nando Parrado colt has been knocking on the door in three starts this season, so has enough racing experience under his belt to break the duck. I guess that Richard Fahey’s Valor Spirit has the most similar profile, so should also be on the premises, while Dr Richard Newland’s Cloudbuster has the notable booking of Tom Marquand and completes my list. Chairmanfourtimes to justify likely favouritism and win this despite the wide draw.
Sky bet Pomfret Stakes (Listed) 2.55
Point Lynas (nap)
Ed Bethell’s Point Lynas won this race last year, relegating the useful Regal Reality to a five and a half length second, and he can defend the title here. There’s a little rain in the forecast, which shouldn’t change the going from good ground, but anything significant would be a negative point. That said, Point Lynas was last seen a three quarter length second to Never So Brave in the Group 2 Summer Mile at Ascot, which is the standout piece of form to bring to this Listed contest, and obviously franked by Royal Ascot winner Haatem following him home in third. Prague was fourth in that same Summer Mile, so has to be the danger here, but Point Lynas is the one to beat.
Pontefract And District Golf Club Ltd Handicap 3.25
Raulin
A bit of a tricky one to call, but I’ll be siding with Raulin to win for a second time. Considering his only previous success was at at this 10 furlong trip, that’s at least one encouraging plus, while the low draw in Stall 2 adds to the case for, and Danny Tudhope in the chair is also a big plus. Declan Carroll’s Time Tells All is also noted, but I’m finding Raulin easy to back.
JCT600 Kia Castleford Maiden Stakes 3.55
Charming Princess (nb)
Ralph Beckett’s Charming Princess can shed the maiden tag here in this Maiden race over the mile. I’m not overly concerned about the wide draw in Stall 8 considering this good ground, but if there’s more rain than expected, trends analysis says there’s a big bias to Stalls 1 & 2, and low draws in particular. Caution noted! Of course, were that the case, it could bring the interesting debutante, Golden Horse into the equation. This Sea The Stars gelding comes with a pretty hefty price tag, and will be closely watched. Mark Walford’s Hopeful Joy completes my shortlist from Stall 2, but I think that Charming Princess is the one to follow.
Always Trying Racing Syndicate Handicap 4.25
Ventura Express
Paul Midgley does well with his sprinters, and although there’s no hiding place for Ventura Express these days, he’s got every chance of landing this. Well into the veteran stage now, Ventura Express just edges it over stablemate Elegant Erin, who should be bang in the mix now returned to turf. Elegant Erin is also not getting any younger, but Ventura Express can win ahead of Elegant Erin in a Sandfield Farm one-two.
The Mandarin
