Magical Mesmerizes On Return

Group 1 heroine Magical (4f Galileo - Halfway To Heaven, by Pivotal) made a successful return to the racecourse when running out a clear winner of Saturday’s Group 3 Alleged Stakes at Naas.

The ten furlong contest was last year won by dual Classic winner Capri (Galileo), and like her old stablemate, the Aidan O’Brien-trained mare was sent off favourite under Ryan Moore. He positioned her behind the leaders, closing on his rivals approaching the two furlong pole and led entering the final furlong, the mare obliging under hands and heels to score by four and a half length. The accomplished Flag Of Honour (Galileo), Latrobe (Camelot) and Still Standing (Mastercraftsman) chased her home to complete a 1-2-3-4 for Coolmore sires in that order.

Aidan O’Brien was full of praise for the winner, saying “You'd have to be delighted with that performance. It was a lovely way to start her season and Ryan (Moore) said she did everything easily. She could go for the Prix Ganay or the Mooresbridge Stakes next and then on to the Tattersalls Gold Cup. We've never been as happy with her at this stage of the season as we are this year.”

Bred by Orpendale, Chelston and Wynatt out of triple Group 1 winner Halfway To Heaven, Magical is a full-sister to multiple Group 1 winner Rhododendron and Group 3 winner Flying The Flag.