Alan Magee’s Ones To Watch

Alan Magee Alan Magee shares his thoughts on runners which have recently caught his attention.

Recent Whispers Winners — Benie Des Dieux (1/1Fav, Gowran Park 23rd Jan), Debuchet (2/1Fav, Fairyhouse 19th Nov), Dreamingandhoping (13/8Fav, Punchestown 15th Jan), Frankly All Talk (5/1JFav, Punchestown 8th Dec), Grandmaster Flash (6/4Fav, Dundalk 15th Nov), Hieroglyphic (7/4Fav, Dundalk 20th Dec), Maria Christina (9/2, Naas 3rd Nov), Munfallet (9/2, Dundalk 6th Nov), Royal Highness (2/1Fav, Dundalk 13th Dec), Ruby Gates (8/1, Wolverhampton 27th Jan), So Suave (10/11Fav, Dundalk 6th Nov), The Storyteller (6/1, Clonmel 5th Dec), Tronador (11/10Fav, Thurles 10th Jan), Valentina Lady (5/1, Naas 9th Nov), Vatican City (1/2Fav, Dundalk 30th Oct),

Belfast Banter (IRE)

Won a Newton Abbot bumper in good style for Dan Skelton last summer and switched to hurdles since joining Peter Fahey. Runner-up in a 23-runner Navan maiden that has worked out well since before travelling strongly in front when falling at the penultimate flight at Cork. Acts on varying ground conditions and hopefully is unaffected by that tumble.

Run For Oscar (IRE)

Thrown in the deep end on debut in a hot winners' bumper at Leopardstown and showed his inexperience before running on well inside the final furlong. Looks sure to progress and a bumper win looks an absolute minimum.

Tronador (IRE)

Lost ground at the start on all five Flat outings for David Lanigan but plenty to like about hurdling debut for current connections in a 22-runner Leopardstown maiden. Stayed on really well in the straight having met some interference when towards rear after three out and should benefit from this experience.

Wild Atlantic Lady (GB)

Attracted the attention of the stewards when staying on into mid-division on debut in a Cork maiden hurdle and finished strongly from well off the pace when switched to a bumper at Limerick. Has only raced on testing ground and looks well capable of winning races.