The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections for 9th June 2024

The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections from ParisLongchamp & Goodwood

ParisLongchamp

Prix Ridgway (Listed) (Colts & Geldings) 12.23
Hamavi
Andre Fabre holds the key to this Listed contest with Hamavi, who won on his debut here before a fine second to Look De Vega. That now look a standout piece of form with Look De Vega bolting up in the French Derby last Sunday, so Hamavi wouldn’t have to improve much to win this. Stablemate Casapueblo rates the main danger, but couldn’t find any extra for pressure in the Prix Greffulhe last month, so Hamavi gets the vote

Prix Melisande (Listed) (Fillies) 12.58
Almara
Almara can return to winning ways here eased in Grade to this Listed Fillies’ race. She’s been there or thereabouts this year, winning on the all-weather at Deauville back in January and then hitting the bar on her three successive runs, including the Prix Saint-Alary over course and distance here last month. Less on her plate in this grade, and should be losing her maiden tag on turf here

Prix Paul de Moussac (Group 3) 2.50
Lazzat
Jerome Reynier’s Lazzat remains unbeaten after four starts, and took the step up to Pattern company in his stride when landing the Prix Djebel at Deauville in April. With a date in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood in the diary, this looks like a good prep run for that Group 1 assignment. The step back in trip shouldn’t be a concern, but Andre Fabre’s Sajir is the one to look out for. A winner at Listed level, Sajir took the Group 3 Prix Sigy over 5 &1/2 furlongs, so has plenty of pace, but Lazzat should have his measure over this trip

Prix Volterra (Listed) (Fillies) 3.25
Obsess
The hat-trick seeking Obsess is the one to follow for this Listed Fillies’ race. Jean-Claude Rouget’s Siyouni filly showed plenty of toe when push came to shove here last month, and there’s every chance she can put some Black Type in the form book. Chritian Demuro takes up the reins to add to the appeal, and with Christopher Head’s Freville on her first run of this season, Obsess edges the vote

La Coupe (Group 3) 4.00
Zarir (nb)
This race should be all about Zarir and Al Hakeem. Francis-Henri Graffard’s Frankel gelding Zarir has a whole host of fancy entries including Royal Ascot, the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown Park and the Irish Champion Stakes later in the year. Just a head second to Haya Zark in the Group 1 Prix Ganay last time out Zarir is looking for his third win from four starts this term, and should be winning at this level. That said, Jean Claude Rouget’s Al Hakeem is a decent rival, fourth in the Prix d’Harcourt when sent off an odds-on favourite here in April so has to be respected. Zarir to continue to progress as many of Frankel’s four year old geldings do, and take this Group 3 en route to some bigger days this summer

Goodwood

Weatherbys/British EBF Agnes Keyser Fillies’ Stakes (Listed) 3.55
Sea Just In Time (nap)
William Haggas’s Sea The Stars filly made an impressive start to her racing career in a Newmarket Maiden in May, and can go in again. Her trainer sends her out for some Black Type on just her second start, and holding an entry for the Irish Oaks in July after the Group 2 Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot, she’s clearly highly rated. Not much bang for your buck after that debut win, but she’s got an ideal draw in Stall 1 and Tom Marquand in the hot seat. Exciting

William Hill Tapster Stakes (Listed) 5.05
King Of Conquest
Course winner King Of Conquest just missed out by the closest of margins in the Group 3 Aston Park Stakes at Newbury last month, but eased in grade here should return to winning form. The progressive Aimeric rates the main threat, and Roger Varian’s prolific winner lines up with a win at Lingfield under his belt to start this campaign well. However, King Of Conquest has not yet reached his ceiling, so can lead Aimeric home

The Mandarin