Magic Daze

Magic Daze did well to finish third behind Gaillard Du Mesnil on her debut under Rules in the two-and-a-half-mile maiden hurdle. She took them along from early, and she stretched her field out nicely as they raced down the back straight. Still in front and apparently travelling well over the second last flight, she couldn’t go with Gaillard Du Mesnil when he moved up and joined her at the entrance to the home straight, and she was passed by her better-fancied stable companion Mr Incredible on the run to the last, but she still kept on admirably up the run-in to retain third place, well behind the winner but nicely clear of the fourth horse Bold Getaway.

It was a really encouraging performance by Henry de Bromhead’s filly on her debut over hurdles. Winner of her only point-to-point for Colin Bowe last October, when she made all, she seemed to enjoy herself here, bowling along in front, and her jumping was good. Interestingly, the other horses who lay up with her, Indigo Breeze, Great Bear, Gaspard Du Seuil, horses who were towards the head of the market, all faded out of it and finished out of the first three. Magic Daze is a keen-going sort, but she kept going nicely even after she had been headed. She should progress for this experience, and she should be winning her maiden hurdle before too long.

Leopardstown, 28^th December 2020