Will it be Magical again? O'Brien ace with another top prize in her sights

Tattersalls Gold Cup (Group 1) | 1m2f | 3yo+ | RTV

Magical will need to grossly underperform not to land back-to-back victories in the Tattersalls Gold Cup.

The decision to postpone a date with any number of Coolmore's bluebloods was vindicated when the star mare romped to Pretty Polly glory on her comeback and a sixth Group 1 beckons.

On ratings, Magical might have most to fear from last season's Irish St Leger winner Search For A Song, but there has to be a big question mark about the trip for Dermot Weld's runner.

There should be no such worries for Buckhurst, always held in high regard by Joseph O'Brien and deserving of a shot at this grade following a cosy win over the course and distance in the Alleged Stakes.

On that occasion Buckhurst had Sir Dragonet behind him and it's hard to see the tables being turned.

Fellow Ballydoyle-trained rival Armory is unexposed and should appreciate the step up in trip, but he'll need to find lots of improvement for going further.

That leaves Leo De Fury, proven over the course and distance, but Jessica Harrington's improving colt needs to find 8lb on Magical, who gets a further 3lb off him.

In a nutshell, it's very hard to see Magical getting beaten, especially given Aidan O'Brien has reported she has come on a bundle for her Pretty Polly success. If that is the case, current odds of 1-3 could be buying money.

What they say

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Buckhurst
It looks a very good race but we're hoping for a good run. He always runs well over the course and distance and I suppose we could have found easier opportunities for him to tackle Group 1 company but we're very happy with him. We have always thought a lot of Buckhurst and he has always stepped up to the mark any time we have asked a question of him. He's never run a bad race and is entitled to his place in the line-up.

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Leo De Fury
It's a big step up in class for him and if he could be placed I'd be delighted. Maybe we should have had him in the King George! He's very well and we're looking forward to running.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Sir Dragonet, Magical and Armory
We've been happy with Magical since her comeback in the Pretty Polly. She just changed over the winter and that's why we asked the lads to leave her in training. Physically, she made a huge jump forward and we think she has come forward from when she won well the first day. Armory is also well and we're looking forward to stepping him up in trip. Sir Dragonet is also very well. His work has been well since the last day, where it was a slowly run race, and he'll be better in a good race.

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