The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections for March 2nd 2025

The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections from Leopardstown

Connolly’s RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Novice Hurdle 1.20
Honesty Policy (nb)
Gordon Elliott can take the opener with Honesty Policy, who wouldn’t have to improve much from his win at Navan to take this. Sam Ewing didn’t have to knock the spots off him for that cosy 8 length win, and he’s expected to double up here. Also sired by Jukebox Jury, Gavin Cromwell’s Champagne Jury has a similar profile, scoring with plenty in hand in a Bumper at Naas in January, and goes over timber for the first time here. Holding an entry in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival, it’s an interesting move to put him in this Auction Novice by Gavin Cromwell, but I wouldn’t be the one to question his judgement, to be sure. Thomas Cleary’s Great Attitude won the last day at Fairyhouse, so these are the three, with Honesty Policy getting my vote.

Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle 1.50
Fortune The Brave
John McConnell looks to have a nice one in the yard with Fortune The Brave, who wasn’t all out to take a Bumper at Kilbeggan last September. Not seen since then, so taken on trust that he’s ready to fire, but Gavin Brouder is in the hot seat and Fortune The Brave tops my list. Dennis Hogan’s Polemon was handy on the Flat and looks the best of the rest, but Fortune The Brave can take this maiden which shouldn’t take too much winning.

QuinnBet Hurdle 2.25
Thedevilscoachman (nap)
Second to Maxxum in the Grade 2 Boyne Hurdle is rock solid form to bring to the table here, so Thedevilscoachman would be expected to capitalise on this ease in grade. Gordon Elliott’s The Pied Piper hasn’t been seen since October, but has some pretty smart form in the book, including a fine head second in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in 2023, so he heads the list of dangers. Aspire Tower is also smart on his day, though yard form at Henry de Bromhead’s is a concern, so Thedevilscoachman it is for me.

QuinnBet Handicap Chase (Listed) 4.02
Tyre Kicker
A chance is taken on Gavin Cromwell’s Tyre Kicker for this Listed Chase. He outran his odds of 18/1 to finish a good second to favourite Hasthing at Windsor in January, not getting a clear run after the omitted last fence, so with a dash of better luck here can take this step up in grade. This certainly looks a workable mark for the handicap, with Conor Stone-Walsh’s 3lb claim adding to the case for. Willie Mullins Meetingofthewaters commands respect back over fences, but has to give plenty of weight to the selection, so Tyre Kicker gets the nudge.

Dublin National Handicap Chase 4.37
Brandt
This marathon could come down to a straight duel between Padraig Roche’s One Horse Army and Cian Collins Brandt. This pair were one-two in a handicap Chase at Fairyhouse at the end of January, with less than a length splitting them, but now Brandt is better off at the weights, so is taken to prevail. The further Brandt goes, the more his stamina will pay dividends, so this three mile four trip should be seeing him at his best. Peter Fahey’s Brucejack hasn’t won for a while, but should be in the mix, while Willie Mullins tries out Iris Emery as top weight for her handicap chase debut, and this completes the shortlist. Brandt and One Horse Army to go head to head from two out, with Brucejack not far behind.

QuinnBet (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race 5.12
Carrigmoorna Beech
There was plenty to like about Carrigmoorna Beech’s debut under rules at Gowran Park the last day, so she’s my pick for the Bumper. Declan Queally didn’t have to knock the dust off her to come home by 12 lengths, and every chance that there’s more to come from this Blue Bresil sired filly. Gordon Elliott’s Eternal Echo won a race with just the four at Naas, so looks to be the one to watch, but Carrigmoorna Beech is the one to side with.

The Mandarin