The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections for 4th August 2024

The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections from Deauville & Chester

Deauville

Prix Daphnis – Fonds European de l’Elevage – Prix Famille Steinbruch (Group 3) 1.33
Darlinghurst
Jerome Reynier holds the key to this Group 3 with Darlinghurst, who swims in calmer waters here than the St. James’s Palace Stakes last time out. Prior to that Group 1 assignment at Ascot’s Royal meeting, he took the Group 3 Prix de Guiche at Chantilly in taking fashion, form which was well franked when the runner-up, First Look, outran his odds to finish second in the French Derby. Saturday’s rain should give this Dark Angel colt some extra cut in the ground, so Darlinghurst will find conditions ideal. The one to beat

ARC Prix Maurice de Gheest (Group 1) 3.07
Mill Stream (nap)
Dual course winner Mill Stream can double the Group One tally for this season with a win here. Fresh from a brilliant win in the July Stakes at Newmarket, Jane Chapple-Hyam’s stable star is sure to go off a warm order favourite for this important race, but does give a weight for age allowance to a few of the three year olds, notably the unbeaten Lazzat, who makes a big jump in grade to this Group 1, and fellow British raider, Flora Of Bermuda, who looks a cracking each-way angle with Oisin Murphy on board. Richard Hannon’s Shouldvebeenaring is finally fulfilling his promise, but Mill Stream is the class act, and is the one to follow

Prix Moonlight Cloud – Prix Maria Luisa Solari (Listed) 3.42
Shamrock Glitter
Francis-Henri Graffard’s Shamrock Glitter can take this Listed contest, having been collared here late on by British raider James’s Delight last month. Back over the same course and distance, this progressive Shalaa colt has never been out of the first three in five starts on turf, and deserves to add to the sole win soon enough. Jane Chapple-Hyam’s El Bodon already has a three figure rating, so rates the main rival, but Shamrock Glitter is one going the right way and gets the nudge

Prix du Cercle – Prix Hipodromo de la Gavea (Listed) 4.17
Bradsell
The chance is taken that a fresh Bradsell can score on his first outing since last September. Archie Watson’s colt is smart on his day, and after his brilliant win in the King’s Stand at Royal Ascot last year, should find this a good starting point for this term’s campaign. He beat the hot favourite Highfield Princess in that Group One, and will be plying his trade at that level after this Listed race. Hollie Doyle gets the leg-up once again, so Bradsell is very hard to oppose, at a price to match

Chester

Liverpool Airport Faster, Easier, Friendlier Queensferry Stakes (Listed) 4.05
Al Shabab Storm (nb)
Horses for courses here, as Andrew Balding’s Al Shabab Storm goes for a season and track hat-trick. The last two wins have been at 7 furlongs, but he’s equally effective at 6, and hard to oppose in his current form. Stall 4 is ideal to get good track good track position, as the first bend comes quickly from the 6 furlong gate on the Roodee, and the hat-trick has to be on the cards

Barbara & Geoff Everall Memorial Handicap 4.35
Never So Brave
Sir Michael Stoute holds the key to this Handicap with Never So Brave, who has already scored here this season. Sixth to Haatem in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot was a fine performance, and there’s less on his plate here returned to handicap company. In typical fashion, Sir Michael doesn’t rush his runners into races, so this has been a careful piece of placing, and super Saffie Osborne is booked for the trip. Huge chance

Ladies Day On 31st August Handicap 5.05
Dreams Adozen
The chance is taken on Charlie Johnston’s Dreams Adozen for the closer at Chester. This Kingman filly has been placed in thirteen of her eighteen turf starts, and has already scored here over this trip this term. Donald McCain Jnr has the hat-trick seeking Sea Grey lining up, while James Fanshawe’s Cambria Legend should also be in the mix. These three complete the shortlist, but Dreams Adozen with young star Billy Loughnane in the saddle get the final vote

The Mandarin