The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections for 30th July 2023

The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections from Pontefract & Deauville

Pontefract

British EBF Ruby Anniversary Maiden Fillies’ Stakes 1.45
Estifada
The well related Caravaggio filly looks the one to follow on her racecourse debut. Karl Burke has his string in fine fettle and always does well with his two year olds. Estifada is a half-sister to Animate who won at 7 furlongs, so she might step up in trip next time out, but this looks a good starting point. Interesting

Visit The Brand New Napoleons Casino Bradford Handicap 2.15
Ascari
Hughie Morrison will be hoping for a bit more luck in running for his Invincible Spirit gelding, who ran on well to grab third at Windsor last time out. He was unfortunate to have his charge under William Buick in the final furlong cut short, as winner, Dream Of Mischief, closed the door as he was moving for the front. Tom Marquand takes up the reins, and Ascari is sure to break the maiden tag soon enough, so gets our tick

Sky Bet Pomfret Stakes (Listed) 2.50
Al Mubhir
It may pay to side with William Haggas’s Al Mubhir for this Listed contest. The Frankel colt won a valuable handicap at Leicester back in April, before a decent third spot in the Listed Spring Trophy Stakes at Haydock Park behind the useful Angel Bleu. He’s capable of winning at this level, chiefly at the expense of Poker Face, with any rain a big plus

Deauville

Prix de Cabourg (Group 3) 2.50
Elite Status (nap)
Karl Burke can make the trip across the Channel pay handsomely if he lands this Group 3 contest, with 80,000 Euros in the prize pot. Elite Status has won two of his three starts, and looked to have plenty of potential when a fine third in the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot behind the big odds winner, Valiant Force. This looks an easier assignment, and with form on soft, this Havana Grey colt won’t mind the conditions. The one to beat

Prix Rothschild (Group 1) 3.25
Remarquee (nb)
Another big prize and plenty of kudos for this Group 1, and another that’s likely to head back across the Channel. Tom Clover sends out Rogue Millennium, while Ralph Beckett has Remarquee attempting to go one better than when runner-up to Nashwa in the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket. Remarquee’s form is well franked, having been in front of Pretty Polly winner, Via Sistina, in that Group 1, so the Kingman filly gets the nudge here. Lots to like with Rob Hornby in the saddle for the in-form trainer

Prix de Psyche Sky Sports Racing (Group 3) (Fillies) 4.00
Paz
Fabrice Chappet should score one for the home team in the third of the four Pattern races on Sunday’s card with Paz. The Siyouni filly was third in the Group 2 Prix de Sandringham last month, and that looks pretty solid form for this Fillies’ Group 3. She wouldn’t want too much more rain, but should be good enough to see off Excellent Truth and Eternal Dance

Prix Six Perfections Sky Sports Racing (Group 3) (Fillies) 4.35
Classic Flower
A decent race for the grade where there are a few interesting Juveniles lining up. Voodoo Magic is an obvious contender for Jean-Claude Rouget in her bid for the hat-trick, after wins at ParisLongchamp and La Teste De Buch, and this Wootton Bassett filly will be a player if taking to this ground. However, our preference is for Classic Flower, a Calyx filly that won her first two starts before a creditable third behind the smart Ramatuelle and Irish raider His Majesty in the Group 2 Robert Pappin two weeks back. She still ran a touch green there, so could come on for that run eased in grade. Classic Flower should be pacey enough stepped up to 7 furlongs, so gets the vote

The Mandarin