Magny Cours impresses after break Magny Cours readily sheds her maiden tag for Daniel McLoughlin in the Coolmore Stud Little Big Bear Stakes (Group 3) at Cork over seven furlongs. The daughter of Awtaad was last seen finishing down the field in the Irish 1,000 Guineas after she was the subject of some controversy in the hours before the race. Although this is not the first time she has gotten her head in front, she was disqualified on debut and has subsequently finished second in two Group Threes. Given a patient ride by Ben Coen, the 9/1 shot travelled strongly before switching right over a furlong out. The Ecurie Ama Zingteam-owned filly quickened up to lead inside the final furlong and was driven out to win by a comfortable two and a half lengths from Dancing Saxon (4/1), who ran well in defeat once again. Spinning Around (12/1) also stayed on from the rear to finish third, beaten a further head. “On her run in Leopardstown she showed what she’s capable of, especially when she’s able to get her toe in,” said McLoughlin. “It’s brilliant when a plan works out. It’s been a long wait on the weather. I was hoping that it would be worth it and it was, it was more than worth it. “I was saying to Ben when he came in that when you are going that easy it’s hard to sit. In a good class race for any jockey to keep it cool and sit for as long as Ben did, it’s almost harder when you are going that easy. You can tend to go a little bit too soon. “Ben gave her an excellent ride, sat on her the whole way. Sometimes when she gets there she doesn’t really go away as well as she did there today. “She put that to bed very professionally. “I was looking at her today and she’s really strengthened up and is a good-sized filly now. I’d say she’s really coming into herself, from now and for the rest of the year. “I took her out of the Matron over a mile. Ben thinks seven is her trip. “She was second in France last year in the Prix Miesque. I heard Michael (O’Callaghan) saying after the last race that he had his horse entered for the Prix de la Foret and she holds an entry as well. “She’ll have to take on the colts but it’s seven furlongs. She’s been to France and she enjoys the style of racing over there. “The owner enjoys runners in France. It ticks a lot of boxes, with the ground and stuff. “It could be worth taking a chance over there and it could be an exciting end to the year with a bit of luck. “Today is as relieved as I’ve been and it’s as good a kick as I’ve got out of any winner to be honest. Obviously, I had a Group 3 winner earlier on in the year but that was massive today.” Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
