The Mandarin’s Wednesday Selections for the Punchestown Festival Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) 5.20The Nice GuyHe maintained his unbeaten record when scoring in the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival, but enhanced his rating further with the manner of the success. Stablemate Minella Cocooner should be on the premises as well though, with 5 lengths to find on The …

The Mandarin’s Selections from the Punchestown Festival: Day One Howden Insurance Brokers Mares’ Novice Hurdle (Listed) 3.40Party Central Gordon Elliott can land the opener to the end of season Irish National Hunt season at Headquarters with Party Central. Though she didn’t seem to take to the track in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, back on home soil …

The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections from Sha Tin & Auteuil Sha Tin The Chairman’s Sprint Prize (Group 1) 08.00Lucky PatchThough not in the best of draws from stall 11, Francis Lui must be hoping that his smart gelding will have more luck returned to his home track, after being taken out of the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint back in December, …

The Mandarin’s Sandown Park Racecard for Saturday 23rd April 2022 Sandown Park bet365 Novices’ Championship Final Handicap Hurdle 1.50Knappers HillPaul Nicholls has a hand full of aces for the final day of the British National Hunt season, and can get off to a winning start with Knappers Hill. He needs good ground to be seen at his best and should …

The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections from ParisLongchamp, Newbury, Fairyhouse & Cork ParisLongchamp Prix de la Grotte (Group 3) 2.50RacletteThe exciting filly Raclette should be all the rage if she has trained on. The Frankel fillies do seem to come to hand quicker than the colts, so a big classic campaign beckons. She was especially impressive in the Prix de la Lorie …

The Mandarin’s Saturday Selections from Newbury, Musselburgh, Haydock, Fairyhouse & Cork Newbury Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes (Group 3) 1.50IlaraabWilliam Haggas holds the key to the opener with Ilaraab, who lines up carrying a penalty after his win in the St. Simon Stakes here over course and distance back in October. He’s got a decent record at this track, …

The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections from ParisLongchamp & The Curragh ParisLongchamp Prix la Force Stakes (Group 3) 3.25DreamflightHe’s a Frankel colt that showed a fair bit of toe when bolting home in the Listed Omnium II Stakes at Saint-Cloud last month, and should have a big campaign ahead of him in his Classic season. The outsider Valmer Magic was just a …

The Mandarin’s Aintree Festival Racecard for Saturday 9th April 2022 EFT Construction Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) 1.45Third WindThe neck winner of the Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival, just holding off the useful Alaphilippe. He showed there that he can cope in a big field, and Hughie Morrison will be sure to have him primed for another big run. In …

The Mandarin’s Aintree Festival Racecard for Friday 8th April 2022 20 Years Together, Alder Hey & Aintree Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) 1.45Cobblers DreamBen Case’s progressive gelding could well be the answer to the opener on Friday. He was an impressive winner of the Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle at Kempton back in January, and put up a mighty show to finish runner-up …

The Mandarin’s Aintree Festival Racecard for Thursday 7th April SSS Super Alloys Manifesto Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 1.45Pic D’orhyThe opener can go to Paul Nicholls who should be set for a big three days at this year’s Festival. His novice chaser has stepped up a gear this season, with wins at Ffos Las, Ascot and Kempton. He has winning form …