The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections for 9th July 2023

The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections from Deauville, Chelmsford City & Ayr

Deauville

Prix Roland de Chambure (Listed) 12.58
Grand Son Of Calyx (nap)
Gianluca Bietolini holds the key to this four runner Listed contest with this colt, sired by Calyx, Kingman’s fastest son, and that natural speed seems to have passed down the breeding line. The manner in which he scooted clear at Saint-Cloud in the Royal Hampton Maiden Stakes back in May gave notice to his potential. Very much a top of the ground action, so if getting on a good surface, has to be the one to beat

Haras d’Etreham Prix Jean Prat (Group 1) 2.50
Chaldean
There are plenty of raiders from across the Channel for this lucrative Group 1, but ready preference is for Andrew Balding’s, 2,000 Guineas winner, Chaldean. Only finding the smart Paddington too good in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, Chaldean can return to winning ways here, and rightly heads the raiding party. There’s Irish interest too, as Aidan O’Brien sends over Meditate, though despite her 3lb allowance still has something to find on the selection. Kevin Ryan’s Hi Royal and Roger Varian’s Charyn head the list of dangers, with homes hopes Breizh Sky and Good Guess the best of the home team, but Chaldean is the one to follow with Oisin Murphy a notable jockey booking

Prix de Ris-Orangis (Group 3) 4.00
Spycatcher
This Group 3 contest can go to British raider Spycatcher, who has returned an improved model this year, and did all but win the Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle last week. Karl Burke’s charge was just touched off in the final strides by a determined Tiber Flow, and can make amends for that Group 3 runners-up spot by going one better here. More than capable in this grade, and must have a huge shout

Chelmsford City

Champagne Collet Queen Charlotte Fillies’ Stakes (Listed) 3.55
Queen Aminatu (nb)
William Haggas can pick up some Black Type here with Queen Aminatu. She was down the field in the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot, but should be back to her very best returned to the all-weather, where she has scored five times in eight career starts. Richard Hannon’s Heredia is the obvious danger, but she’s making her all-weather debut, so Queen Aminatu gets the nudge

Ayr

Book Bounce Bingo At Ayr Racecourse Handicap 4.50
Sparks Fly
David Loughnane’s filly has been a revelation since the switch to turf, clocking up an impressive five-timer. She has been on the go all year however, and with a further 6lb hit from the Handicapper has to go forward once more, but the manner of her latest win at Chester suggested there’s yet more in the locker. Might not have yet reached her peak, so gets the go-ahead in search of six on the bounce

The Mandarin