RACECARDS
The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections for 8th September 2024

The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections from ParisLongchamp
Prix la Rochette (Group 3) 12.23
Houquetot
The first of the Pattern races can go to Christopher Head’s Houquetot, who can regain the winning thread and make it three from four this term. Only Irish raider, Cowardofthecounty was too good last time out at Deauville, where this Wootton Bassett colt lost his unbeaten record. This time around, it’s Joseph O’Brien’s Midnight Strike that will put up the fight, and this pair should be the one-two. Houquetot to score for France.
Prix du Prince d’Orange (Group 3) 12.58
First Look
A fascinating clash between the potentially special Ombudsman, and Andre Fabre’s First Look. John & Thady Gosdens’ Ombudsman has improved with every run, and stepped up to Listed level won with something in hand in the Prix Nureyev at Deauville, and there is likely more to come. However, First Look was a 2 length second in the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly back in June, and then went to Royal Ascot for a solid fourth of twelve in the Hampton Court Stakes. Back on home soil now, and on softer ground, this Lope De Vega colt can build on his Group One runners-up spot to land this Group 3. That said, Ombudsman hasn’t hit his ceiling yet, so a cracker in store, with First Look getting the nudge.

La Coupe de Maisons-Laffitte (Group 3) 1.33
Haya Zark (nap)
Adrien Fouassier’s Haya Zark is the one to beat in the La Coupe de Maisons-Laffitte. Eased in grade to Group 3 company here, Haya Zark has been plying his trade at the top table, and was last seen here in the Group One Prix d’Ispahan, just going down by under a length to the smart pair of Mqse De Sevigne and Horizon Dore. Nothing of that quality here, though Francis-Henri Graffard’s Dolayli was just a head behind the selection in the Prix d’Ispahan. From across the Channel, British raider Al Mubhir from William Haggas’s Somerville Lodge yard is also useful, while Jack Channon’s Certain Lad completes the shortlist. Haya Zark to get back to winning ways, with Dolayli and Certain Lad to keep him honest.
Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (Group 1) 2.50
Charyn (nb)
A real cracker in store for the feature, where the brilliant Charyn can continue a fine season. Roger Varian’s Dark Angel colt has only been beaten once in five starts this season, going down by a length and three quarters to outsider Audience in the Lockinge at Newbury Park. Following that defeat, success in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes at Ascot’s Royal meeting was backed up by another Group One win in the Jacques le Marois at Deauville. 2,000 Guineas winner, Notable Speech, lines up after an impressive win in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood, so is sure to push Charyn all the way with a handy 5lb weight for age allowance, while Aidan O’Brien’s Henry Longfellow and Andre Fabre’s Tribalist merit much consideration. Chary to make it a third Group One this year, and cement his place as the best miler in Europe.
Prix Gladiateur (Group 3) 3.25
Sevenna’s Knight
Horses for courses, as Andre Fabre’s Sevenna’s Knight returns to the track where he’s already won twice this year. Conditions look set fair for this Camelot colt to score for the third time, and serve it up to the ante post favourite, Irish raider Harbour Wind, who was a close second to Double Major here in the Group 2 Prix Chaudenay last September. Ralph Beckett also tries his luck with River Of Stars, whose runners-up spot to The Good Man in the Prix Maurice de Nieuil last year showed he can act on this track. Maxime Guyon takes up the reins on River Of Stars, but Sevenna’s Knight is the one to beat on home soil, with home hope Goya Senora a tempting each-way angle.
The Mandarin
