Racing

Aidan O’Brien’s Magical makes a fine return at Naas

Four-year-old justifies favouritism after Dermot Weld’s Imaging digs in to score

Aidan O’Brien saw Magical cruise to victory at Naas. Photograph: Tom Beary/Inpho

Sat Apr 13 2019 - 18:00

Magical further enhanced her growing reputation with an impressive victory on seasonal debut in the Group Three Alleged Stakes at Naas.

Aidan O’Brien’s four-year-old was an even-money favourite, having won the Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot last October before going on to push the mighty Enable hard when runner-up in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Churchill Downs.

Returning over 10 furlongs, she was towed into the race by her stablemate Flag Of Honour and eased past the long-time leader before stretching clear with ease under Ryan Moore to win by four and half lengths.

The same distance stood between the runner-up and third-placed Latrobe, respectively trained and ridden by O’Brien’s sons, Joseph and Donnacha.

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Last year's Irish Derby winner therefore performed with credit too, but Magical was in a league of her own.

Winning trainer O’Brien said: “That was a lovely start back for her, and you couldn’t be happier with it.

“She has the choice of going for the Ganay in two weeks or go for the Mooresbridge and on to the Tattersalls (Gold Cup).

“What we thought we would do is give her a few runs, a little rest and then the autumn.

“She’s physically done very well over the winter, and we were never as happy with her as we are now.

“She travelled into the race very well and was just ready to be let go. That should do her good, and she had an easy enough time.”

The runner-up did O’Brien proud too, and he added: “I was very happy with Flag Of Honour as well.

“He doesn’t need to go as far as we have run him. He could go for the Vintage Crop or he could go for some of the races that the filly (Magical) goes for.

“He’s happy making the running.”

Magical’s victory was a second notable success of the day for O’Brien and Moore, for whom Monarch Of Egypt had kick-started the card in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race.

The juvenile was a first runner for his sire American Pharoah, the former US Triple Crown winner, and was also supplying O’Brien with victory at the first attempt with his two-year-olds this season.

Monarch Of Egypt led almost throughout and then sprinted clear to score by two and three-quarter lengths.

There was no answer to the 9-10 favourite’s burst of speed, and Betfair were equally quick off the mark with a quote of 14-1 for the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Ming Warrior got closest to the winner — but it was one-way traffic, and O’Brien duly confirmed his intended target this summer.

“Hopefully, he will be a Royal Ascot horse — but he’d need to run again,” said the trainer.

“He was never away, and you couldn’t ask for him to do any more.

“He’s a straightforward, honest horse who shows plenty of speed — and Ryan said he’d have no problem getting six or seven either.

“He’s babyish and was a bit green when he got there. He’s a lovely, uncomplicated horse — lovely mind, and was just ready to come to the track.”

Earlier Imaging was a hard-fought winner of the Group Three Gladness Stakes.

Dermot Weld’s four-year-old got the better of a bunch finish to prevail by half a length, making it two out of two this season after his Listed success at Leopardstown just 10 days ago.

Oisin Orr had the 7-2 shot well off the pace early, set over this seven furlongs by last year's winner Psychedelic Funk.

Joseph O’Brien’s Irish 2,000 Guineas entry No Needs Never ran a fine race on his seasonal return, pushing the winner closest.

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