The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections for 3rd December 2023

The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections from Fairyhouse

Bar One Racing ‘Bet 10 Euros Get 50 Euros Sign Up Offer’ Irish EBF Mares Handicap Chase 11.55
Brides Hill
The opener can go to Gavin Cromwell’s Brides Hill, who had a cosy 8 length win at Listowel back in September. The trainer won this race last year and despite shouldering top-weight, Brides Hill should be good enough to take this on her handicap debut. Henry de Bromhead’s Queen Jane rates the main threat having won two of her three starts over fences, but Brides Hill has more scope and should benefit from the more recent run

Bar One Racing ‘Price Boosts Across All Channels’ Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 3) 12.25
Kala Conti
Gordon Elliott’s filly, bought out of Dominique Bressou’s French yard made an impressive debut on Irish soil at Navan last month. Sauntering home by 14 lengths to beat just the two other rivals on heavy ground, she could have a bright future in the Robcour silks. Interesting

Bar One Racing ‘Guaranteed Overnight Prices’ Porterstown Handicap Chase (Listed) 12.55
Call The Tune
Our pick for the Cork National when shortening from 8/1 overnight to 5/2 before the off, Barry Connell’s nine-year-old nearly pulled off the gamble. Going down by just a short-head to the re-opposing Sir Bob, this pair can battle it out again for this marathon trip. On this soft ground, both Sir Bob and Call The Tune will still be going when plenty of others will have thrown in the towel, and with a 3lb pull this time around, Call The Tune should have the edge

Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) 1.25
An Tobar
It’s very hard to get away from the appeal of An Tobar for this important Novice Hurdle. Henry de Bromhead’s gelding missed all of last season with a setback, but showed that all the potential remained when a 4 length winner in a Maiden on this track. Certainly not thrown in lining up in a Grade 1 on just his second start under rules, and despite some depth to this field, Rachael Blackmore will be hoping to justify favouritism for this valuable prize. Respected

Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase (Grade 1) 2.00
Letsbeclearaboutit (nap)
Quickly developing into one of the best novice chasers on either side of the Irish Sea, Gavin Cromwell’s Letsbeclearaboutit can score Grade 1 honours here. After finishing fourth in the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival, connections have waste no time in sending him over fences, with a Grade 3 win at Cork coming on just his second start. Willie Mullins has taken a long time to send Sharjah fencing, but the smart hurdler, a Grade 1 winner over timber has wasted no time in clocking up two wins. However, this ground might be too deep for Sharjah, so Letsbeclearaboutit is the one to follow

Bar One Racing Hatton’s Grace Hurdle (Grade 1) 2.35
Impaire Et Passe (nb)
Unbeaten last season, Willie Mullins holds the key to this Grade 1 at the start of a big campaign. Along the way, he’s sure to be one of the biggest rivals to the outstanding Constitution Hill later in the season, and can get the ball rolling with a win here. Last year’s winner, Gordon Elliott’s Teahupoo, is also smart, and these two are the main players. The ready preference though is for the less exposed Impaire Et Passe, who looks something out of the top drawer at a price to match

Bar One Racing ‘Paying Extra Places Daily’ Handicap Hurdle (Listed) 3.10
The Model Kingdom
The one-two-three from a Listed Handicap Hurdle at Down Royal three weeks ago line up here, and runner-up The Model Kingdom can go one better to land this. With a 4lb pull over the winner of that race, Magic Tricks, and only 2 lengths to find, Jack Kennedy can continue his brilliant start to this campaign. Foxy Girl came from far back to finish third in that Down Royal contest and rates the main threat, but The Model Kingdom gets the nudge

Bar One Racing ‘Guaranteed Multiple All Shops’ (Pro/Am) Flat Race 3.40
Bleu De Vassy
Bought for a pricey sum to line up in the Gigginstown silks, and made enough of an impression in a Bumper at Sligo to get picked for this. Race experience should count for something and with a few debutantes lining up, might just want to keep tabs on the Willie Mullins runner, Petit Secret. He’s well bred and sure to be well prepped by the Champion Trainer, though fell in his sole start in Point-to-Points. Bleu De Vassy to land the closer

The Mandarin