Abbey Magic

Abbey Magic put up a nice performance to win the 2m 4f handicap chase. Sent to the front from flagfall by Rachael Blackmore, she settled nicely in front and her jumping was good. The field closed up a little at the end of the back straight, but the leader stretched them out again on the run to the home turn, and she stayed on well up the home straight over the last three fences to win nicely. Sam King kept on well, and challenged at the second last, but it never really looked like Abbey Magic was going to get beaten.

Rated 118 at her peak over hurdles, Henry de Bromhead’s mare was racing off a mark of 123 here. She is already a better chaser than hurdler. The handicapper raised her by 7lb to a mark of 130, but this was just her second run over fences, and her second run for Henry de Bromhead. Also, she is still just a seven-year-old and she is two for two over fences. She probably wouldn’t want the ground to get too soft, but there could be significant progression still to come.

Navan, 23^rd September 2018