The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections for 3rd March 2024

The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections from Leopardstown & Doncaster

Leopardstown

Connolly’s RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Novice Hurdle 1.40
Captain Cody (nap)
This should go the way of Captain Cody as he looks to progress in the Novice Hurdling ranks. Sixth in the Champion Bumper at last year’s Cheltenham Festival, he’s made a good start to this season’s campaign, winning on his first run over timber at Gowran Park in cosy fashion, before a runners-up spot at Naas last month. Fine on this ground, and every chance of scoring here

QuinnBet Hurdle 2.50
Dee Capo
The chance is taken on Gordon Elliott’s Dee Capo to resume progress on his return from a break. This Bumper winner made a successful start over Hurdles in a Cork Maiden, before finishing a neck second to the useful What’s Up Darling in a Grade 3 at Navan. There’s a couple of decent rivals lining up here in the veteran Cash Back and the classy Ashdale Bob, but Dee Capo is unexposed and should have more to offer. Danny Gilligan’s 5lb claim is a handy offset, so Dee Capo to take a couple of notable scalps here

QuinnBet Handicap Chase (Listed) 4.00
Birchdale
Course and distance winner Birchdale can put some Black Type in the form book in this Listed contest. Enda Bolger’s Jeremy gelding unseated at the first here last month, so with a better slice of luck should be in the mix at the business end of things. No concerns over the ground, and Mark Walsh in the saddle adds to the appeal. Go close

QuinnBet (Pro/Am) Flat Race 5.07
Buckaway Freddie
Buckaway Freddie is the one to follow in the closer where he can go one better than when runner-up at Naas last month on his racecourse debut. It was heavy ground in that race so conditions here shouldn’t pose any problems, and Harry Swan is in the driving seat to guide him home. With only Delta Force and the selection having racing experience under their belt, this looks ripe for the taking for Buckaway Freddie

Doncaster

Download The Raceday Ready App Conditional Jockeys’ Veterans’ Handicap Chase 3.15
Iconic Muddle
With conditions set to be pretty demanding on Town Moor, Gary Moore’s grey looks to have as good a chance as any. He’s unexposed at this trip, and has run well on both starts this year, finishing runner-up to Dibble Decker at Wincanton and to Highstakesplayer at Kempton Park next time out. Niall Houlihan gets a useful 3lbs for this Conditional Jockeys’ contest, so Iconic Muddle is taken to see out this trip and double the tally over fences

Download The Racecourse App Raceday ready Open NH Flat Race 5.00
Mister Meggit (nb)
Mister Meggit made his racecourse debut a winning one when scoring at Carlisle in November, impressively pulling clear in the final furlong. He looks a smart prospect in the Hemmings Racing silks, and is sure to go off a warm order favourite for this Bumper. Mister Meggit to confirm the promise and land the closer

The Mandarin