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14 Apr 2019

Five things we learnt about Series contenders over the weekend

Mohaather impressed when landing the Greenham. Picture: Racingfotos.com

There was plenty of news relating to the QIPCO British Champions Series over the weekend. Here were the five main strands.

Magical shines on return:

Magical gained an impressive victory on her seasonal debut in the Group Three Alleged Stakes at Naas on Saturday.

Aidan O’Brien’s four-year-old filly, winner of the QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot on QIPCO British Champions Day last October, breezed clear with ease under Ryan Moore to win by four and half lengths from stablemate Flag Of Honour.

“That was a lovely start back for her, and you couldn’t be happier with it,” O’Brien said.

O’Brien has no definite future plans for Magical but further success in the Champions Series seems assured.

Blue back at Sandown:

Thundering Blue is on course to make his return in the Bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown on April 26.

The popular grey finished third to Roaring Lion in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York last summer but will need a new jockey this season as his regular partner, Fran Berry, has recently retired.

Trainer  David Menuisier said on Sunday: “I’ve a pretty good idea who I want to replace him, but I’ll keep that to myself for now!”

Mohaather set for Guineas:

Derby-winning trainer Marcus Tregoning has yet to saddle a QIPCO British Champions Series winner but has a smart prospect on his hands in Mohaather, fluent winner of the Greenham Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.

The colt is now a short as 12-1 for the QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 4 and his trainer is optimistic about him getting the trip.

“I think he’ll give himself a chance to stay the mile as he settles so well,” he said on Sunday. “Hopefully, off a strong pace, he’ll be fine.

Fabre waiting game with King:

Persian King advanced his QIPCO 2000 Guineas claims with an easy win in the Group Three Prix de Fontainebleau at ParisLongchamp on Sunday.

However, Andre Fabre has yet to commit the Kingman colt to Newmarket. “It is undecided at this stage,” said Fabre. “One of the factors will be what happens on Wednesday (in the Craven Stakes at Newmarket).”

Dandhu proves a darling:

Dandhu is bound for the QIPCO 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 5 after landing the Dubai Duty Free Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.

Second in the Rockfel Stakes when last seen, the Dandy Man filly was weak in the betting and drifted out to 8-1 in the race better known as the Fred Darling but was still too good for the opposition.

“I thought she would need it, and she will probably benefit from it, but she looks pretty fit,” trainer David Elsworth said “I’ve not really given her a hard preparation.”

Marmelo up for Cup:

Look out for Marmelo in the Investec Coronation Cup at. Epsom on May 31 after his success in the Dubai Duty Free Finest Stakes at Newbury on Saturday

Hughie Morrison’s stable star produced a great late thrust to lead close home and the trainer said: “I put him in the Coronation Cup and it doesn’t look so stupid now. I would not want to run him on fast ground, though. I think he appreciates a bit of juice in the ground.”