Alan Magee’s Ones To Watch

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

Recent Whispers Winners — Alghabrah (2/7Fav, Dundalk 10th Apr), Ashoka (9/1, Ascot 25th Mar), Balbir Du Mathan (1/4Fav, Limerick 21st Mar), Benie Des Dieux (9/2, Cheltenham 13th Mar), Blow By Blow (11/1, Cheltenham 16th Mar), Capri (7/4Fav, Naas 13th Apr), Edwulf (33/10, Leopardstown 4th Feb), Folsom Blue (5/1Fav, Punchestown 11th Feb), Freeway Space (3/1, Clonmel 20th Feb), Hareth (13/8Fav, Navan 22nd Apr), High Street Lady (8/1, Dundalk 23rd Mar), Jett (11/10Fav, Thurles 22nd Feb), Kuraka (1/1Fav, Limerick 20th Apr), Mary Tudor (9/2, Navan 22nd Apr), Mostawfee (14/1, Dundalk 16th Feb), Presenting Percy (5/2Fav, Cheltenham 14th Mar), Tell Me Annie (3/10Fav, Limerick 12th Apr), The Granson (7/4, Limerick 19th Mar), The Storyteller (16/1, Punchestown 24th Apr),

Hazel Bay (IRE)

Well-bred filly being a half-sister to high class performers Youmzain and Creachadoir and ran a cracker when thrown in the deep end on debut at Navan. Stayed on nicely up the hill to beat all bar Mary Tudor in 1m2f Listed race, and looks sure to progress with further experience.

Agent Zigzag (IRE)

Comeragh Haze (GB)

Purchased for just 800 guineas as a foal and looks a real bargain now after a very promising debut in a mile Leopardstown maiden. Never involved but stayed on really well on the outer inside the final furlong to beat all bar a well-backed fellow newcomer. Looks sure to appreciate further in time.

Hasanabad (IRE)

Made a pleasing start in a 1m2f Naas maiden when keeping on in third behind a couple of decent colts. Looks sure to progress from this experience and should stay further in time.

Wilderness (GB)

Cost 60,000 at Goresbridge Breeze-Up Sale last year and made a promising debut at Naas when finishing strongly from well off the pace. Hails from a speedy family but stays at least 6f on this initial evidence.

School Boy Hours (IRE)

Friendless in the market on debut but plenty to like about his strong-finishing third in a 21-runner Navan maiden hurdle. The half-brother to Finian's Oscar should benefit greatly from this experience & also appreciate a step up in trip.

Kuraka (GB)

Showed promise on the Flat for Karl Burke & placed under both codes since joining Gordon Elliott. Runner-up up to the useful Espoir D'Allen at Down Royal, and didn't enjoy a clear run when finishing strongly over 1m4f at Dundalk. Seems versatile ground wise.

Banksoftheshannon (GB)

Seemed to appreciate better ground and a step up in trip when beating all bar Sparky Stowaway in a 26-runner handicap hurdle at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting. Didn't enjoy the clearest of runs and also made a mistake at the last but kept on well in the closing stages. Should be suited by at least 2m4f.