Jamie Clark was Sports Editor of Coral bookmakers between 2014 and 2017 during their merger with Labrokes and a key period for the British betting industry. Working as a bookie’s runner on the point to point circuit in the Midlands and at Market Rasen Racecourse where his late godfather had a trackside pitch growing up, he has had ties to horse racing all of his life. A regular visitor to Cheltenham during the National Hunt season and York over the summer, he has been involved in Horsebetting.com since its inception. Jamie now brings you his take on major news stories from the racing world and those all-important betting tips.
O’Brien mare can repeat dose from last year
Only three horses in history have won the 1m 2f Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup more than once, but Magical is a strong fancy to add her name to the list at The Curragh on Sunday (14:55).
Trained by Aidan O’Brien, who has saddled a record eight previous winners of the race, she landed the spoils last year. One of three in this renewal for Ballydoyle, Magical is a proven performer at elite level.
She may be the oldest in the six-runner line-up aged five, but the daughter of Galileo tops official ratings. That is even before considering the 3lb sex allowance she gets from the colts and geldings that aren’t three-year-olds.
It puts Magical 6lb and upwards clear of her five rivals on adjusted figures. She also has a superb record over course and distance with three wins.
In the second of those, last year’s Tattersalls Gold Cup, Magical romped to a seven-length victory over Flag Of Honour. That complete an early season hat-trick for her.
Magical was then a gallant runner-up in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot behind Crystal Ocean, then chased home old rival Enable in both the Eclipse at Sandown and Yorkshire Oaks.
She then landed the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown and, following a fine fifth in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in France, also won the British equivalent.
There was more Group 1 glory over course and distance on reappearance in the Pretty Polly Stakes. Magical made all the running for an easy 4 1/2 lengths victory over Cayenne Pepper.
The runner-up filled the same spot in the Irish Oaks, so the form isn’t too shabby. Magical has leading and obvious claims of a sixth Group 1 victory here, so cannot be opposed on all known form.
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Buckhurst and Leo De Fury other course specialists
It’s not just the hot favourite who knows a thing or two about winning over course and distance. Buckhurst is three from four at this venue over the Tattersalls Gold Cup trip.
Trained by Joseph O’Brien for owner Lloyd Williams, this four-year-old Australia colt progressed last season. Buckhurst won a Group 3 at the third attempt and then followed-up under a penalty in the Royal Whip when holding the re-opposing Leo De Fury by a head.
He now meets the runner-up off 3lb better terms. Buckhurst chased home Norway over further on Irish Champions Weekend and ran a cracker on reappearance.
A mile is short of optimum for him, but Buckhurst made Ancient Spirit fight all the way to the line. He carried a heavy penalty and lost on the nod by a nose.
Buckhurst has since resumed winning ways in the Alleged Stakes here. He made all and held the re-opposing Sir Dragonet, who he also meets off 3lb better terms, by 1 1/2 lengths.
This is one for horse who delivers at the course. Buckhurst has 11lb to find with Magical on adjusted ratings, however, so second place looks the best he can hope for.
The aforementioned Leo De Fury ran out a decisive Group 2 scorer over the trip here last time out. Trained by Jessica Harrington, this other four-year-old colt by Australia is two from three at this course and distance.
Leo De Fury hasn’t beaten Buckhurst in two previous attempts, however. The filly Fleeting that he proved three lengths too good for when last in action doesn’t always see her races out.
As Leo De Fury is worse off with his old rival, despite them both having the same official rating, Buckhurst is preferred as the one most likely to chase Magical home.
Armory gets weight all-round in Tattersalls Gold Cup
Off the remainder, the trip looks well short of what Irish St Leger heroine Search For A Song needs. Sir Dragonet is on a long losing run and has tried this distance this season, so that leaves Armory.
The sole three-year-old in the Tattersalls Gold Cup line-up is also trained by O’Brien senior. One of Ballydoyle’s leading juveniles last season, he took the Group 2 Futurity Stakes at this venue.
Armory then started bumping into leading horses from overseas. He was left in the wake of Pinatubo when back at The Curragh and beaten nine lengths in the Group 1 Vincent O’Brien National Stakes.
There was no shame in losing to the two-year-old with the highest juvenile rating for 25 years. Armory was a keeping on length third when stepped up to a mile on Arc weekend at Longchamp.
The winner, Victor Ludorum, landed the French 2000 Guineas this season. Armory’s final run of the campaign can be disregarded.
It was a long season and he was eased when beaten 20 lengths by Alson in a match. The winning margin should not reflect badly on Armory, who shaped as though further would suit in the Irish 2000 Guineas on reappearance.
He took a bump and was carried left in that race, but kept on inside the final furlong to be fourth. As Armory is by Galileo, he should appreciate stepping up in trip.
Getting 6lb weight-for-age from Magical means he has the least to find. However, the Tattersalls Gold Cup demands more. Magical is the one to beat, but Armory could improve.
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