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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Magical conjures up her first win

Tue 8th Aug 2017, 18:02

Magical, far side, pips Mary Tudor in CorkMagical, far side, pips Mary Tudor in Cork
© Photo Healy Racing

Those who took the very short odds on Magical in the opening fillies' maiden at Cork would have been more than a little alarmed before she prevailed by a head.

The 2/5 favourite came here on the back of a very promising runner-up finish at the Curragh last month.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained filly didn't have it all her own way here as Willie McCreery's newcomer Mary Tudor really served it up to her in the final furlong.

The pair fought out the spoils all the way to the line with Magical edging ahead in the closing stages under Donnacha O'Brien.

Runner-up Mary Tudor (25/1) went into plenty of notebooks after this performance. The pair pulled five lengths clear of Active Approach (5/1).

Aidan O'Brien said: "Donnacha was happy with her. They didn't go too fast early and quickened well down the straight.

"She was to go to Goodwood during the week (for a maiden on August 3) but it got very bad there (ground-wise). She is babyish and green still and won't mind anything from seven to a mile. That would have done her good today and she is a grand big mare."

The going at Cork changed to soft after this race.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes

1st
2/5Fav
Tote €1.40 €1.10
2nd
hd
25/1
€2.70
3rd
5L
5/1
€1.60
4th
0.5L
16/1
About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.