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 (10/11, Kempton 23rd Nov), Astadash (4/1, Dundalk 11th Nov), Belfast Banter (5/2, Galway 24th Oct), Hazran (14/1, Wexford 26th Oct), 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), Presenting Percy (3/1, Thurles 19th Nov), Roseys Hollow (10/11Fav, Fairyhouse 16th Jan), Run For Oscar (4/7Fav, Fairyhouse 13th Nov), Shadow Rider (2/5Fav, Limerick 26th Dec), Staker Wallace (4/7Fav, Limerick 30th Dec), Stand Up And Fight (16/1, Fairyhouse 10th Nov), The Storyteller (9/2, Down Royal 31st Oct), Winner Takes Itall (15/8Fav, Dundalk 23rd Nov),

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.

Roseys Hollow (IRE)

Cork bumper winner and off the course for a year before showing plenty of promise in a Leopardstown maiden hurdle. Reappearing after a further nine months break when again shaping well in a Naas mares maiden. Obviously had some training problems but stays at least 2m2f and looks well capable of landing a mares maiden hurdle.

Master McShee (GB)

Indicated some ability on bumper debut but really stepped forward when switched to hurdles after a summer break in a 2m Cork maiden. He was the only one to put it up to a top class rival in the straight as the pair drew clear, and should be able to land 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.