Magic Wand back on home soil but shorter trip could expose some weaknesses

7.45 Curragh
Lanwades Stud Stakes (Group 2) | 1m | 4yo+ | RTE2/RTV

Regular traveller Magic Wand makes her first appearance on home soil since finishing second to Magical in last year's Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.

Since that admirable effort, she has been to Australia, where she ran in the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley and the Melbourne Cup at Flemington. She ended her Aussie adventure by winning the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes.

From there it was on to the Hong Kong Cup in December, where she was agonisingly denied by a short head, and she was runner-up again in the Pegasus World Cup Turf at Gulfstream Park before finishing down the field in the Saudi Cup at Riyadh.

She is unquestionably the class act in the race, her official rating of 115 tells you that, but this is her first run over a mile since her Leopardstown debut in 2017 and there is a chance she could be tapped for toe.

There is no such concern with Silk Forest, who won a Listed race at Naas over a mile in October and comes into the contest chasing a hat-trick.

Hamariyna has already been seen this season when she was second in a Group 3 at Naas on the opening day of the Flat turf season in March. She could have more improvement in her locker.

Magic Wand might have too much class, but the mile makes things interesting.

What they say

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Magic Wand
She's just about ready to start back again and seems in good form. She's been all over the world and has always been a pleasure to train. She had the option of Ascot next week, but this looked a nice race for her.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Crotchet and Snapraeceps
They both seem to be in good form and I'm happy with them, but the ground is a worry for both and neither would be certain to run.

Michael Halford, trainer of Hamariyna
She's already had a run this season, albeit quite a while ago at Naas. It's a small field and she's taking on fillies, so we thought it looked a nice race for her. Any drop of rain that falls will help her. She's a very nice filly.

Paddy Twomey, trainer of Silk Forest
She seems in good form and finished off her season well at Naas last year. This looks like a nice starting point for her.

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