The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections for 7th April 2024

The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections from Sha Tin, Leopardstown & ParisLongchamp

Sha Tin

Sprint Cup (Group 2) 09.10
Howdeepisyourlove (nap)
With Lucky Sweynesse lining up for this Group 2, there’s plenty of value for the selection, Howdeepisyourlove. There is no doubt that over the last two seasons Lucky Sweynesse has emerged as Hong Kong’s top sprinter, but he hasn’t really fired this season, and was turned over in the 7 furlong Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup by California Spangle last time out. Howdeepisyourlove has continued to progress and with a 5lb pull over the jolly, has every chance despite a wide draw in Stall 10, with Lucky With You also in with a sneak

Chairman’s Trophy (Group 2) 09.45
Beauty Eternal
John Size’s Beauty Eternal has won 8 of his 15 starts, and although often flattering to deceive at the highest level, is more than capable of winning this. Just over a length fourth behind California Spangle in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup last month, this is a softer assignment and Zac Purton is sure to get him well placed coming into the home straight. The prolific Happy Together returns to Group level after some decent wins in handicaps, and rates the main threat. Beauty Eternal to make it win number 9 on his home track

Leopardstown

Ballylinch Stud ‘Red Rocks’ Stakes (Group 3) (Colts & Geldings) 2.20
Take Me To Church
This looks a decent race for the grade with Atlantic Coast, Battle Cry and Take Me To Church all dominant in the ante-post market. The preference is for the race-fit Take Me To Church, who lines up here on a season’s hat-trick bid after a convincing win on heavy ground at Naas last month. Atlantic Coast did win first time out last season, so rates the biggest threat, but Take Me To Church still had plenty under the bonnet in the last run, so gets the nudge

Ballylinch Stud ‘Priory Belle’ Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies) 2.55
Wendla
Given here for her win at Naas two weeks ago, we’ll stick with Ger Lyons filly for this Group 3. She won’t mind these conditions, and would have won by more than the 2 & 1/2 length distance had she got a clearer passage into the home straight at Naas. Paddy Twomey’s A Lilac Roller and Natalia Lupini’s Kitty Rose head a list of dangers, with Aidan O’Brien’s pair Cherry Blossom and Buttons also making the shortlist. More to come from Wendla though, with Colin Keane on the reins adding to the appeal

P.W. McGrath Memorial Ballysax Stakes (Group 3) 3.30
Deepone
Just the five going to post, but a real cracker in store. Aidan O’Brien is triple-handed with Illinois looking the best of the three and the pick of Ryan Moore, but Ocean Of Dreams could not have been more impressive than when winning here on heavy ground on his debut under rules. If he’s trained on, he’s in the ‘could be anything category’ while Illinois third in the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud is rock solid form. However, Deepone won the Beresford Stakes here on his final start last October, for which he lines up under a penalty, so his course form could count. Deepone to defy the penalty and score for Paddy Twomey

ParisLongchamp

Prix la Force (Group 3) (Colts & Geldings) 3.25
Sunway (nb)
This Group 3 should be all about Sunway, who is very hard to oppose back on French soil. His win in the Group 1 Criterium International at Saint-Cloud on his final run of last season is impressive form at this level. Assuming he’s trained on, this should be a nice warm-up for the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket next month before taking on the Dante and the Irish Derby in a big campaign. Oisin Murphy is up top and with deep ground just the ticket, Sunway is the one to beat

Prix d’Harcourt (Group 2) 4.00
Horizon Dore
One of the outstanding finds of last year, Horizon Dore can resume progress if coping with this ground. That is a big if, though he should come on for the spin at Saint-Cloud last month. Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe eighth, Feed The Flame is the big danger, along with British raider Military Order, fresh from a Group 3 win on the all-weather. A terrific race in store, where three-time course winner Horizon Dore can use his late finishing speed to good effect

The Mandarin