The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections for 2nd June 2024

The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections from Chantilly

Prix la Fleche (Listed) 1.05
Francisco’s Piece
There’s plenty of Black Type on offer at Chantilly on Sunday, and the first of those can go to British raider Francisco’s Piece. This Mayson colt won on his debut under rules on soft ground at Pontefract, so should cope with the predicted very soft going here. Sent up in grade to a Class 2 contest at York, he just failed to reel in Richard Fahey’s Shadow Army, but can only come on for that run. Karl Burke is in superlative form, so Kaadi enters calculations, but Francisco’s Piece and James Doyle can score here

Prix du Gros-Chene (Group 2) 1.40
La Rochette
The progressive La Rochette might be worth an each way punt at generous odds, having won a Conditions Race here last month. She wasn’t fancied before the off, but Tony Piccone got the job done by a head, and La Rochette is on the hat-trick here. Archie Watson’s Albasheer rates the main danger, with Hollie Doyle making the trip over to add to the appeal, but La Rochette does look a value each-way angle

Grand Prix de Chantilly (Group 2) 2.20
Goliath (nap)
It’s hard to get away from the appeal of Francis-Henri Graffard’s Goliath for this Group 2 after his win in the Prix d’Hedoville at ParisLongchamp last time out. He got plenty of daylight on that very soft ground, and pulled clear with something in hand from 2 furlongs out, eased into a comfortable 3 length win. Galashiels chased Goliath home in that race, and has a bit to find, so British raider Al Qareem and Andre Fabre’s Marquisat rate the main dangers. Al Qareem did win the Group 2 Prix Chaudenay on Arc weekend on very soft ground, so is sure to give the selection most to think about, but Goliath’s front-running style gets the vote

Qatar Prix du Jockey Club (Group 1) (Colts & Fillies) 3.05
Sunway (nb)
A cracking renewal where Irish raider Diego Velazquez looks to improve on his fourth spot in the French 2,000 Guineas. However, having done his best work on good ground, reservations remain over going this deep, so David Menusier’s Sunway makes plenty of appeal. He’s getting this campaign to peak just about right for this Group 1, having just gone down by a neck in the Prix Greffuhle at Saint-Cloud four weeks back, but Oisin Murphy is back in the saddle to go one better. Clive Cox’s Ghostwriter also makes the shortlist, along with home hope Ramadan, but Sunway looks the one to follow

Prix de Royaumont (Group 3) (Fillies) 3.50
Sheema’s Rose
Alicja Karkosa’s filly only found Karle Burke’s British raider Making Dreams too good in the Group 3 Prix Penelope at Saint-Cloud in April, but she outran her odds of 16/1 to relegate race favourite Je Zous to third. If anything, this looks an easier race for the grade, with Francis-Henri Graffard’s Siyandra the obvious threat. The hat-trick seeking Que Bella is one going the right way, so these are the one-two-three, with Sheema’s Rose getting the nudge

Prix de Sandringham (Group 2) (Fillies) 5.00
Rolica
Jane Chapple-Hyam holds the key to this Fillies’ Group 2 with Rolica, who was last seen a 3 & 1/4 length sixth in the 1,000 Guineas. She didn’t seem to be at her best on that track, despite having won a Fillies’ Maiden there in April, but Chantilly’s flatter course could see her in a better light. That said, Rolica has to prove that she acts on ground this deep, but does have William Buick booked for the ride. Tim Donworth’s consistent Fathom steps up from a Conditions race here last time out, and has Oisin Murphy for company, so a decent duel in store

The Mandarin