O'Brien to work Classic magic Joseph O'Brien is on Magician in the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan on Saturday, but still rates stablemate Festive Cheer. While Magician has the form in the book, having landed the Irish 2,000 Guineas and Breeders' Cup Turf last year, Festive Cheer is less heralded, although he did manage to make the frame in the Irish Derby. O'Brien said of Magician: "A mile and a half is as far as he's gone and as far as he wants to go. His dam was a sprinter but this horse is quite uncomplicated. "I don't think people should underestimate Festive Cheer. He was third in an Irish Derby and, for me, has a massive each-way chance." Trainer Sei Ishizaka is forecasting an improved Gentildonna as the Japanese mare bids to wrestle the Sheema Classic from Ballydoyle. Second to St Nicholas Abbey 12 months ago, she again has the assistance of Ryan Moore, who helped her claim November's Japan Cup. Gentildonna was sixth on her comeback start at Kyoto last month, and Ishizaka said: "She is in a very good mood and I can say her condition is better than last year. "She is a type of mare whose condition is progressed in the second race up, so having a prep race coming into this year was obviously good for her. At the moment, winning the Dubai Sheema Classic is her biggest target. "This is her second time staying here, so she looked more relaxed and settled. From the experience of last year, we could prepare for everything including the travel issues from Japan. Of course she ran second in last year's race, but I think she is in better form and will show better performance." Cirrus Des Aigles beat St Nicholas Abbey in the 2012 renewal and the popular French veteran is back for a second bite. Trainer Corine Barande-Barbe said: "It's encouraging that he appears to have the same enthusiasm and ability as before. Christophe Soumillon (jockey) thought he ran better in his trial at Chantilly than he did in the same races two years ago."
