Magic Daze

Magic Daze did well to keep on as well as she did to finish second in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle on Thursday. Allowed stride on in front from early, she appeared to be happy bowling along in front early on for Robbie Power, even if she was probably doing a little more than her rider wanted her to do. Two lengths clear jumping the flight in front of the stands first time, she stretched her field out behind her down the back straight, jumping well. She was still in front and travelling well as they raced around the home turn, and she found more when Telmesomethinggirl challenged her on the run to the final flight. She ceded the lead to her stable companion on the approach to that obstacle, but she still kept on well up the run-in to retain second place, over two lengths in front of Mighty Blue.

It looked like they went fast here, and the winner’s finishing speed of 91.25% confirmed the visual impression, with the result that the hold-up horses generally came to the fore. The winner Telmesomethinggirl and the third horse Mighty Blue were both held up early on, while the fourth and fifth, Skyace and The Glancing Queen, raced in mid-division. The mares who raced in second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth, all faded to finish sixth or worse. Magic Daze was the only one of the prominent racers who finished in the first five, and she finished second, having set the strong pace.

Winner of her only point-to-point when she was with Colin Bowe, the Doyen mare did well to finish third behind Gaillard Du Mesnil in a two-and-a-half-mile maiden hurdle at Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival in December, again after racing freely in front, and she stepped forward from that to easily land her maiden hurdle at Clonmel in January. The fact that her trainer was happy to allow her take her chance in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham on the back of just a maiden win gives an indication of the regard in which she is held at home.
From the family of Kicking King, she could be an exciting novice chaser next season if connections choose to go down that route. She is only five, she is a super jumper, and her forward-going style could be seen to even better effect over fences than over hurdles. In the meantime, the Robcour mare will be of interest if she takes her chance in the Grade 1 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle Final at Fairyhouse over two and a half miles, but she will be of greater interest if she runs over hurdles at the Punchestown Festival, where an aggressive style of racing is often rewarded.
Cheltenham, 18^th March 2021