Alan Magee’s Ones To Watch

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

Recent Whispers Winners — Ajero (7/2CFav, Market Rasen 21st Feb), Grandmaster Flash (7/4Fav, Dundalk 19th Feb), M C Muldoon (8/15Fav, Fairyhouse 8th Feb), Make Good (12/1, Cheltenham 12th Dec), Master McShee (5/1, Leopardstown 27th Dec), Messidor (11/4, Dundalk 2nd Dec), Mount Ida (5/2Fav, Cork 6th Dec), Orchid Gardens (11/8Fav, Dundalk 25th Nov), Right Honourable (4.4, Happy Valley 24th Feb), Roseys Hollow (17/2, Fairyhouse 8th Feb), Shadow Rider (2/5Fav, Limerick 26th Dec), Staker Wallace (4/7Fav, Limerick 30th Dec),

Aarons Day (IRE)

Lost considerable ground after a controversial start in a Naas handicap hurdle but still ran a cracker to fill the runner-up spot in that 17-runner event. Should progress from the run, his first in nearly a year since winning both previous starts. Stays 2m4f and has the size to prosper over fences in time.

Milliner (IRE)

Very lightly-raced Punchestown maiden hurdle winner and caught the eye after over two years absence when finishing strongly in a competitive Grade B 2m4f Navan handicap. Obviously had training issues but hopefully can build on this promising return. Stays well and appears to handle varying ground conditions.

Fair Frontieres (IRE)

Showed some promise in a point at Kilfeacle & wore a hood but settled quite well when running a cracker on debut under rules in a 2m4f Navan maiden hurdle. Just headed final strides by the odds-on favourite on very testing ground & looks well capable of winning a similar event.

Dicey Mo Chara (GB)

Half-brother to six winners and showed plenty of promise when unfancied on debut over a mile at Dundalk. Took a while for the penny to drop but finished strongly when just failing to peg back the odds-on favourite. Looks sure to progress from this experience.

Collins (FR)

Cost 115,000 at the Derby Sale, dam stayed well and from family of Montjeu. Well-fancied on debut when patiently ridden in a Leopardstown bumper where denied a clear run at a vital stage before staying on well in the straight to take third. Should progress from this experience and gain compensation soon.

M C Muldoon (IRE)

Achieved a rating of 100 on the Flat for Peter Chapple-Hyam and, having been sold for 100,000 guineas, absent for over two years until promising debut over hurdles in a Leopardstown 2m maiden. Should benefit from that outing and looks well capable of winning a similar event.

Genois (FR)

Unfancied on debut but ran a cracker when beating all bar the two clear market leaders in a 20-runner maiden hurdle at Navan. Stays at least 2m4f and looks sure to win a similar event.