Analysis and key quotes as Magic Chegaga bids to continue brilliant season

Denny Cordell Lavarack & Lanwades Stud Fillies & Mares Stakes (Group 3) | 1m1½f | 3yo+ | RTV

This is an intriguing Group 3 with a full field of 17 declared, including a raider from Britain and a reserve ready to come in.

Twelve months ago Magic Chegaga failed to beat a rival home in this race but the daughter of Teofilo has looked a different proposition this term and connections will be hoping she can continue her cracking form in the 1m1½f contest.

The five-year-old, now rated 12lb higher than when lining up in last year’s race, backed up her Galway mile success with an excellent second in the Snow Fairy Stakes at the Curragh last time behind Viareggio, becoming trainer Brian Duffy’s first runner in Group company.

She has to give away weight to some higher-rated rivals but Colin Keane is back on board, having won twice on her this season, and more black type is not out of the question.

Tranquil Lady: smart winner of the Blue Wind Stakes at Naas this seasonCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Joseph O’Brien will be hoping the ground doesn’t dry out too much for his pair Haziya and Tranquil Lady. The latter was a runaway winner of a Naas Group 3 on yielding to soft in May and connections have now fitted her with a tongue-tie, which may help settle her better than in the Pretty Polly on her latest start.

Aidan O’Brien also runs two in the €60,000 event and will be hoping Galleria Borghese can build on her good third in the Blandford Stakes on Irish Champions Weekend. She is joined by Prettiest.

Cigamia is talented and seems versatile ground-wise. Fourth in the Sandringham Handicap and a Listed winner at Killarney on good ground this year, she has two yielding to soft victories to her name and high-flying Billy Lee should have her there when it counts.

Shane Foley has stayed loyal to Paris Peacock out of Jessica Harrington’s three runners, while Declan McDonagh rides British raider Kawida for Ed Walker. The most recent British-trained winner, Joe Tuite’s Four White Socks in 2019, was partnered by McDonagh.

Duffy going for Group success

Magic Chegaga has been one of the stories of the Irish Flat season and four-horse trainer Brian Duffy will be hoping his stable star can continue her superb form.

The five-year-old has climbed from 84 to 97 in the ratings since joining Duffy at the beginning of the season, with her two wins including a memorable success in the Colm Quinn BMW Mile at the Galway festival.

Brian Duffy bids for a third win of the season with Magic ChegagaCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The Teofilo mare built on that win with a career-best performance last time in the Group 3 Snow Fairy Stakes, earning a Racing Post Rating of 97, and Duffy says she is in top order for this assignment.

He said: “We’re hopeful she can finish in the frame again. We were delighted with her at the Curragh last time. She’s been on the go a long time this season but seems in good nick and hopefully the ground can dry out to her liking."

What they say

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Himalayan Beauty, The Blue Brilliant and Paris Peacock
We're looking for a bit of black type somewhere with Himalayan Beauty and hopefully she can improve. The Blue Brilliant hasn’t been out for a while and is a soft-ground filly. I’m a little worried that the ground may be drying out a bit too much. Paris Peacock got the job done nicely last time, which was great, and has been in good form since.

Billy Lee, rider of Cigamia
Hopefully the ground keeps drying out for her. This is the longest trip she's tackled this season but she seems in good form and hopefully can run well.

Aidan O’Brien, trainer of Galleria Borghese and Prettiest
Galleria Borghese ran well last weekend and has come out of the race in good form. We’re going up in trip with Prettiest and she’s been well since her last run.

Ed Walker, trainer of Kawida
She should run well as she'll be suited by the drop in trip. We've got a local rider in Declan McDonagh because it's quite a quirky track and it's handy to have someone who knows it.

Saturday previews:

1.40 Newbury: 'We expect some improvement' - can anyone challenge Godolphin trio in Group 3?

2.15 Newbury: 'This is much easier - she'll go close' - who is confident for wide-open sprint?

2.30 Ayr: Early pace could prove key to breaking Tim Easterby's Silver Cup stranglehold

2.50 Newbury: 'He could be a dark horse' - analysis and key quotes for the Mill Reef

3.05 Ayr: Clive Cox hopes 'thriving' filly can follow Harry Angel's improvement arc

3.40 Ayr: 'I'm not sure he's streetwise enough' - Haggas on Ayr Gold Cup favourite

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