Irish Champion Stakes: Magical beats Ghaiyyath at Leopardstown
What you need to know:
- Having come out of retirement, originally being matched with the great No Nay Never stallion, Magical combusted past Ghaiyyath who had set a blistering pace from the get go.
- Leo de Fury justified his odds of 125-1, by sauntering along in last.
Magical (Seamie Heffernan 9-2) expropriated Ghaiyyath (William Buick 8-13), from the Irish Champion Stakes, by some tactical trajectories.
It was her twelfth dip at the post, but probably, most poignant. Having come out of retirement, originally being matched with the great No Nay Never stallion, Magical combusted past Ghaiyyath who had set a blistering pace from the get go.
She marked the clock at 2:05:8/10 for 1.2 miles. Japan was wallowing away in third, but not really gaining any currency for Ryan Moore. In fact, they ended up fifth behind Armory (Wayne Lordan 66-1), and, Sottsass (Colin Keane 5-1).
Leo de Fury justified his odds of 125-1, by sauntering along in last. Magical watched Ghaiyyath intently before making her move. From thereon, it was simply divine.
Poor old Ghaiyyath received a few too many unnecessary sticks from William. He was going nowhere. On that performance, Ghaiyyath will not get the l'Arc de Triomphe trip against Love, Enable, and, possibly, Magical. Could be wrong. Let's see what Charlie Appleby decides.
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Galileo Chrome (Tom Marquand 4-1), was a bitter sweet winner of the Pertemps St Leger at Doncaster. Why? Because Tom was deputising for Shane Crosse who tested positive for Corona.
It was literally a last-minute operation which came about because English King was switched to the Grand Prix de Paris, leaving him free for Galileo Chrome.
Always near-by, Galileo Chrome went clear by a neck from Berkshire Rocco (Andre Atzeni 16-1), Pyle Driver (Martin Dwyer 9-2), and, Santiago (Frankie Dettori 5-2). All runners were across the course at one stage.
Aiden O'Brien's son, Joseph, was ecstatic riding his first St Leger winner on Leading Light in 2013, and now conditioning Galileo Chrome, who covered the 2,900m in 3:01:9/10.
Eventually only eleven ran an eventful St Leger. Tom Marquand's partner Hollie Doyle rode a five-timer in Britain last month.
They are having a wonderful season. Hukum (Jim Crowley 7-2), did not have enough stamina, although he was not far behind in fifth. The last five entries were spent and wasted, way before closing time.
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Champers Elysees (Colin Keane 9-2), was decisive winner of the Coolmore America 'Justify' Matron Stakes for Johnny Murtagh. Champers demonstrated her insane speed as she passed Peaceful (Seamie Heffernan 11-4), and, Fancy Blue (Ryan Moore 9-4), in 1:39:7/10J for a mile. Johnny Murtagh can be remembered for his five Championships as a jockey, but he strives to be a brilliant trainer as well. His Know It All (Cieran Fallon 10-1), finished fourth.
