Tattersalls Gold Cup report: Odds-on favourite Magical wins in good style
A review of the rest of the action from the Curragh on Irish 1,000 Guineas day as Magical claimed top-class honours in the Tattersalls Gold Cup.
Magical set herself up for a possible trip to Royal Ascot with a dominant display in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh.
A winner on Champions Day at Ascot last season, she then pushed Enable all the way at the Breeders' Cup.
Aidan O'Brien's filly won her first two races this season in workmanlike fashion, but she looked a different proposition on this occasion.
Ryan Moore tracked Irish St Leger winner and stablemate Flag Of Honour with the three other runners content to sit some way behind the Ballydoyle duo.
Turning into the straight, it soon became clear nothing in behind was making any inroads and when Moore pulled Magical out to challenge, the race was over.
Without resorting to the whip, Magical quickened clear to win by a comfortable seven lengths as the 2/7 favourite.
O'Brien said: "We are delighted to have her as a four-year-old. She's a big, powerful mare that is full of quality, with great strength and a super mind.
"She had done enough last year to go off to stud, so it's a great credit to all the lads to keep her in training. The plan made out was the three races and then see about Ascot for the Prince of Wales's Stakes.
"There is an autumn campaign and she has to have a break somewhere before maybe the Irish Champion and the Arc. Hopefully she will come out of today well and then we can have a think about Ascot. It's all stuff to dream about."
Sky Bet cut Magical to 12/1 from 16s for the Prix de l'Arc De Triomphe and 6/1 from 8/1 for the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown.
🏇💫 Magical wins an eighth Tattersalls Gold Cup for Aidan O'Brien.
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) May 26, 2019
🤔 It's easy pickings for the odds-on favourite, but can she trouble Enable and Sea Of Class at @Ascot??pic.twitter.com/g0PGLJDzef
O'Brien's Arizona had no trouble opening his account at the second time of asking in the Tally Ho Stud Irish EBF (C&G) Maiden, leading home a one-two-three for the trainer.
Second on his debut earlier in the month, the No Nay Never youngster never looked in any danger.
Ryan Moore decided to keep things simple on the 8/15 favourite and he ran out an eight-length winner over stablemates King Of Athens and New World Tapestry, with a Royal Ascot bid now on the cards.
There was drama in behind with Red Assembly coming down, but Luke McAteer was able to stand after the incident. Unfortunately Red Assembly was put down.
"We really liked him the first day when he was green. He looks an Ascot two-year-old," said O'Brien.
"Ryan said he galloped through the line which is a good sign. You would have to be very happy with him."
There was more drama in the Hanlon Concrete Handicap when Gavin Ryan was unseated from Teddy Boy coming out of the stalls and he went on to play a part in the finish.
Donnacha O'Brien was leading the far side group on Little Clarinet, but he had to stop riding deep inside the final furlong as Teddy Boy drifted into his path.
That allowed Leigh Roche on Baby Power (14/1) on the near side to land the spoils by a length and a half, with Little Clarinet only fourth.
Winning trainer Gary Caldwell said: "She ran a cracker the last day and the key is keep her sweet and happy. I'm delighted with her. Leigh said she wasn't doing a tap in front, but she needs something to challenge her, and I said to Leigh to leave it as late as you can."
📸 Good view from the 1f pole at @curraghrace 🕵️♂️ pic.twitter.com/c6CSPsYEKt
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) May 26, 2019
Hathiq continued his progression for Denis Hogan with a clear-cut success in the Curragh Official Opening Day Handicap.
Formerly with Owen Burrows, he was picked up for just £3,000 after a long absence but appears to retain all his ability and Betfair cut him to 6/1 favourite for the Dash at Epsom.
"He looks decent. We were thinking he'd probably go to the Rockingham after Tipperary, but some lads were saying he might not be certain to get in," said Hogan.
"We weren't certain about fast ground either, but now we know it's no problem. I wouldn't say six is out of the question, but he's a proper five-furlong horse. He's in the Dash at Epsom next weekend. He wasn't getting in before today, but he might go now. We'll see how he is and what the handicapper does.
"He's a nice one to have and is a bargain buy. At the January Sale they got Lincoln, Eastern Racer and this lad was the dearest - he cost 3,000! It's great to get one on a big day as the owners are great supporters of mine."
🚀 Hathiq bolts up at the Curragh!
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) May 26, 2019
🤔 Could we see him as soon as next week in the @EpsomRacecourse Dash? He's 8/1 from 12/1 with @SkyBet... pic.twitter.com/WC1unBYIgD
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