11th-Feb-2023

I am backing old friend Magic Daze here.  This race could suit her well.

Second in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle in 2021, Henry de Bromhead’s mare ran well at Fairyhouse last time to finish a close-up second behind Sil Ver Klass in a competitive handicap off a mark of 143, when she had Mt Leinster behind her in third and the three of them nicely clear.

The pace was fast that day, she had to go fast to get and retain the lead.  That may be the case again today, Dinoblue does like to go forward, but she may be happy to sit in behind Magic Daze today, and Razzle Dazzle Love and Minx Tiara, who used to be confirmed front-runners, are not guaranteed leaders any more.

Magic Daze loves to bowl along in front and, when she is flowing, her jumping is very good.  Naas suits that type of racing style well, and the yielding ground should be ideal for her.  She won a valuable handicap at the Punchestown Festival last April on good to yielding ground.

Elimay is obviously a top-class performer, she has won the last two renewals of this race and she won the Mares’ Chase at Cheltenham in March, but she was beaten at Punchestown in April and she was beaten on her return this season at Clonmel, and she has to give weight away.

Dinoblue is a bigger danger in my book, she is a progressive and talented mare, but she is short, and Magic Daze is the value against her.

MAGIC DAZE WON (ADV 5/2, SP 9/4)