Horse In Focus - Magnanimity

MAGNANIMITY

• Magnanimity [1] put in a great performance to win the Grade 2 Tote Pick Six Killiney Novice Chase at Leopardstown [2] on Sunday. He was given a great ride by Davy Russell to beat the well fancied Jessies Dream [3] by just under a length.

• This 7yo gelding was bred by Thomas Foy and was sold by Grangecam Stud [4] (Co.Wicklow) in the 2004 November National Hunt Sale at Tattersalls for €13,500, to Martin Cullinane. He is by Winged Love out of the dam Mossy Mistress.

• Like most Gigginstown House Stud horses, he started in a point to point and he won on his first outing in Dromahane, Co. Cork, back in April 2009. He then made his racecourse debut and finished 2nd to the high class Luska Lad [5] in a maiden hurdle in Galway [6], in October 2009.

• He finished 3rd in his only bumper run at Down Royal [7]. In his next 5 runs over hurdles he was never out of the first 3 - winning twice - including a Grade 2 Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse [8] over 2m 4f. 

• He finished a disapointing 5th on his chase debut but won next time out in a 2m 4f Novice Chase at Punchestown [9], beating Arabella Boy [10] by 2L's. 

• His trainer Dessie Hughes [11] says that he is a real old fashioned staying chaser who likes heavy ground. He says he really needs three miles and did well to win over two and a half. 

• He is a very nice long distance staying chaser and will now be aimed at the Grade 1 Dr. PJ Moriarty Chase at Punchestown [9] in February. He will also have an entry in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham but he doesn't like good ground. If it did come up soft then he would look to have a leading chance.