The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections for 28th January 2024

The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections from Sha Tin, Naas & Doncaster

Sha Tin

Centenary Sprint Cup (Group 1) 08.40
Lucky Sweynesse
Zac Purton’s back on board and going for the Sha Tin hat-trick on Lucky Sweynesse. A winner of 15 of his 21 starts, he’s emerged as Hong Kong’s premier sprinter, and only Sight Success and Victor The Winner have got their heads in front of him in the last year. However, both were behind in the Hong Kong Sprint at the December meeting, so on current form Lucky Sweynesse is number one. A decent draw in Stall 5 adds to the appeal, so Zac Purton looks ideally placed to score once again

Naas

Clinton Higgins Chartered Accountants Novice Handicap Chase 1.00
Kings Halo
It may pay to side with James Dullea’s Kings Halo for Nass’s opener. He’s been in fine form this season, winning at Tramore and getting two runners-up spots either side of that win at Clonmel and Punchestown. Lining up from this featherweight mark is sure to give him an edge, and the notable booking of Danny Mullins adds to the appeal. A huge chance in this current spell of form

Naas Racecourse Business Club Limestone Lad Hurdle (Grade 3) 2.10
Telmesomethinggirl
The chance is taken on Henry de Bromhead’s Telmesomethinggirl, who is more than capable of winning in this Grade. There’s sure to be plenty of support for Willie Mullins’s Galway Plate winner, Zarak The Brave, but he’s on a bit of a retrieval mission after pulling up at Tipperary back in October. Rachael Blackmore gets the leg up on Telmesomethinggirl, and this pair have tasted success in a Cheltenham Grade 2, so there’s every chance they can score for their in-form yard

Finlay Ford At Naas Novice Chase (Grade 3) 2.45
Letsbeclearaboutit (nap)
One of the best novice chasers this term, and having found the 17 furlong trip at Fairyhouse on the sharp side, should appreciate this step up in trip. He was a winning hurdler over 3 miles, and a creditable fourth in the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival in March, so is taken to serve it up to the Willie Mullins pair, Meetingofthewaters and Embassy Gardens. Letsbeclearaboutit to score for Gavin Cromwell

Doncaster

SBK Warfield Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 2.35
You Wear It Well (nb)
A cracking race where a case can be made for a fair few of these. Both Marie’s Rock and West Balboa are class acts and rightly dominate the ante-post markets, but the chance is taken on You Wear It Well, who should be suited to the step up to 3 miles and can get into a good rhythm for Gavin Sheehan on this flattish track. Nicky Henderson’s second string, Tweed Skirt, has been fencing with some success, so it’s a surprising move to send her back over timber, but she does stay this trip, while Theatre Glory tries a new distance. You Wear It Well to improve once more for Jamie Snowden, and get another Grade 2 in the book

The Mandarin