Alan Magee’s Ones To Watch

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

Recent Whispers Winners — Any Second Now (3/1, Naas 23rd Feb), Benie Des Dieux (1/1Fav, Gowran Park 23rd Jan), Cracking Smart (16/1, Navan 16th Feb), Dreamingandhoping (13/8Fav, Punchestown 15th Jan), Entoucas (4/5Fav, Naas 8th Feb), Frankly All Talk (5/1JFav, Punchestown 8th Dec), Hieroglyphic (7/4Fav, Dundalk 20th Dec), Munfallet (6/1, Dundalk 14th Feb), Politesse (4/5Fav, Thurles 20th Feb), Royal Highness (2/1Fav, Dundalk 13th Dec), Ruby Gates (8/1, Wolverhampton 27th Jan), The Storyteller (6/1, Clonmel 5th Dec), Tronador (11/10Fav, Thurles 10th Jan), Waitaki (6/1, Kempton 12th Feb),

Rio Ocho (IRE)

Unfancied on debut at Dundalk but put in good work in the closing stages when beating all bar the hot-favourite in a 7f maiden. Bred to appreciate further and should benefit from this experience.

The Priests Leap (IRE)

Showed promise on bumper debut at Navan and again when switched to hurdles at the same venue. Jumped well and only gave best to well-backed favourite after a mistake at the last in a 21-runner maiden. Looks sure to win a similar event and can do well over fences in time.

Ajero (IRE)

Half-brother to dual bumper winner and Grade 2 scorer over fences Charbel. Promising debut when staying on into third in a Thurles bumper and looks sure to win races.

Politesse (IRE)

Half-sister to Don Poli and already showed a high level of form in two bumper starts. Third to Longhouse Poet at the Punchestown Festival in a race that has worked out very well and absent for nine months until again putting in best work at the finish when runner-up in a Grade 2 mares' event at Leopardstown. Stays well and should progress from latest outing.

Just Let Go (IRE)

Unfancied on debut in a mile Dundalk maiden and showed his inexperience before the penny started to drop when keeping on well in the closing stages. Looks sure to progress and should stay further.

Lynwood Gold (IRE)

Won twice as a juvenile for Mark Johnston and earned a rating in the high 90's on the Flat when staying 1m6f. Put in a decent round of jumping when fourth on hurdle debut in a 25-runner Fairyhouse maiden won by better-fancied stablemate. That form looks solid and he seems versatile ground wise.

Orchid Gardens (IRE)

Shaped well on debut when beating all bar the favourite in a fillies maiden at Dundalk. Runners from this yard invariably progress with experience and she looks well capable of winning a similar event.

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.