Magic Saint a Graded Horse Running in a Handicap?
The phrase ‘graded horse running in a handicap’ is something that has been said about a few runners at the Cheltenham Festival over the years, and I think we will see another horse with that tag on him when Magic Saint heads to post in the Grand Annual on Friday.
The horse has been with the Paul Nicholls yard for three runs now, beaten comfortably in his first two before putting up a much improved display to win at Wincanton last time out. That was a real eye-catching performance and straight away he was mentioned as a runner for this race. Surprisingly to me, the handicapper has only put him up seven pounds for that win. He won by four and a half lengths, but was value for much more and the horse back in second place looks a fairly well handicapped horse based on some form in the book.
I was expecting to see a nine or ten pound rise for this horse, and seeing only seven plays a big part in why I fancy him so strongly. I think he is a lot better than his mark at the moment, and I also think the way the race will be run at Cheltenham will really suit him.
He will love the strong pace to run at, and the uphill finish will allow him to get into the race, I can see him travelling through with ease before being pulled out to challenge with two fences to go.
I really like this one on Friday, the horse looks well handicapped, he could well be a graded performer and the yard are having a very good Cheltenham Festival so far. Everything points to him putting up a huge run in the Grand Annual on Friday.