The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections for 29th September 2024

The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections from The Curragh

Weld Park Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies) 2.40
Barnavara
The first of the Pattern races on the Sunday card at The Curragh can go to Barnavara. Jessica Harrington’s Calyx filly sets the standard here, and has twice seen the smart prospect Bedtime Story ahead of her, the last time in the Group 2 Debutante Stakes over this course and distance. Dropped into a Fillies Group 3 here, there should be less on her plate, but Aidan O’Brien is sending out plenty of winners as the season draws to close, so Heavens Gate looks the obvious danger stepping up to 7 furlongs for the first time. Adrian Murray’s California Dreamer has been running well at this level, and is the tempting each-way angle, but Barnavara gets the nudge for the win.

SBK Renaissance Stakes (Group 3) 3.15
Spycatcher (nap)
British raider Spycatcher can take this Group 3 for the in-form Karl Burke. The Spigot Lodge handler’s sprinters have been on top form this season, including Group One Classic success on this track with Fallen Angel in the Irish 1,000 Guineas, and although Ryan Moore couldn’t get Spycatcher to fire in the Sprint Stakes at Haydock Park, Clifford Lee returns to the saddle here. This pair were last seen winning the Group 3 Prix de Meautry at Deauville in August, where Spycatcher has a fine record, and if that form can be transferred to The Curragh, they will be hard to beat. My Mate Alfie gets 5lbs from Spycatcher as he returns to Group level, while Big Gossey can never be discounted and these complete the shortlist, with Spycatcher getting the vote.

Friends Of The Curragh Irish Cesarewitch (Premier Handicap) 4.25
The Euphrates/Nurburgring/My Mate Mozzie Reverse Forecast (nb)
Looking back over his run in the Irish St Leger there’s every chance that The Euphrates will relish this trip, so a chance is taken in this hot handicap. This Frankel colt gets in on an appealing mark now in handicap company, and that may well prove too lenient in the future. Whether he can see out this trip remains to be seen, but since starting the season with a fine second in the Ballysax at Leopardstown back in April, he’s been better the further he goes. As ever, it’s a pretty wide open race, but Harry Eustace’s Divine Comedy, Gavin Cromwell’s My Mate Mozzie, Joseph O’Brien’s Nurburgring and Barry Connell’s Enniskerry all have claims. The Euphrates to make the step to this trip pay off, at the expense of Nurburgring and My Mate Mozzie. Nice forecast if it comes in!

Bord Na Mona Recycling Rated Race 5.00
Bucaneer’s Spirit
It could pay to take a chance with Jack Davison’s Bucaneer’s Spirit, who is one going the right way and should be right in the mix back at 7 furlongs. Fresh from a win in a handicap at Navan where he was sent off favourite and won with a bit in hand, this Invincible Spirit gelding should be pacey enough over this shorter trip. Course and distance winner Procrastinate won a maiden well in March, but hasn’t been seen since, so Johnny Murtagh’s Transcending Glory may rate the main threat.

The Mandarin