Magical conjures up another win for O’Brien and Moore

Aidan O’Brien saddled six in the £600,000 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes and it was 5/1 shot Magical who provided the trainer, Ryan Moore and Coolmore with back-to-back victories in the 12-furlong event with a smooth success.

The three-year-old daughter of Galileo travelled stylishly into contention in the home straight and quickened up smartly under Moore to score by a length in the Group One event from the John Gosden-trained Coronet, who stayed on well to finish second, three-quarters of a length in front of her stable companion, the well-backed Evens favourite Lah Ti Dar, back in third.

O’Brien landed the 2017 renewal with Hydrangea, who finished fifth in this year’s contest and he was delighted to record another success.

The master of Ballydoyle said: “We’re really delighted with Magical. We were always going to take our time on her. She had a lovely position and relaxed lovely, so we couldn’t have been happier.

“We thought she was going to be a real contender for the Investec Oaks at one stage, but suffered an injury beforehand.

“We thought she would handle ease in the ground as she had form on a softer surface as a two-year-old so we are really delighted with her.

“She ran well in the Arc and she was only just coming back to full fitness in that race. Wayne Lordan rode her in that race and he said there was no doubt that she does stay a mile and a half as that was her first time over the trip.”

Moore said: “We always thought Magical was top-class. She didn’t quite manage to win a Group One at two and then things have not gone to plan for her this year, but she ran a real good race in the Arc and Wayne [Lordan, who rode her at Longchamp] was very happy with her.

“We thought she would be a mile and a half filly and the Arc showed that she gets the trip. Today was very smooth the whole way and she had a lovely run round.”

John Gosden saddled the second and third but he was looking ahead, not back, after their defeat.

Gosden said: “Coronet was forced wide by the draw, she got a clear run and ran an absolute blinder – but full credit to the winner – while the other filly [Lah Ti Dar] ran a super race, but as you can see from looking at her, she’s big and rather unfurnished and is a next-year filly when she’s bigger and stronger.

“She will be put away until next year, while Coronet is going to Italy – assuming she comes out of this race in good order – for the Premio Lydia Tesio.”