Madara

Madara ran out an impressive winner of the two-mile-one-furlong handicap chase at the Dublin Racing Festival. The only British-trained runner at Leopardstown on the day, Sophie Leech’s horse always travelled well for James Reveley, along the inside and just behind the pace. He travelled well into the home straight, moved to the front on the run to the final fence, and he kept on strongly up the run-in to win well. He only had less than three lengths to spare over the staying-on Path D’Oroux at the line, but it appeared that he was idling on the run-in, that he probably had a fair bit more in hand than that.

Noted here after he won a handicap chase at Cheltenham’s December meeting, Madara is worthy of note again now, because there still could be more to come from him on this evidence. This was just his fourth run for Sophie Leech, he is only five, and he continues on a steep upward trajectory. A 10lb hike may not check him either. He is obviously effective over two miles, but he won over almost two and a half miles in France, and his trainer said after the Leopardstown race that the New Course at Cheltenham probably suits him better than the Old Course. As such, the Plate could be the race for him at this year’s Festival more than the Grand Annual, but he would be of interest in either.

Leopardstown, 3^rd February 2024