Norfolk for Noche Magica after Marble Hill defeat

Trainer Paddy Twomey has made the decision to target the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot with Noche Magica after the colt was beaten in the Group 3 Marble Hill Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday.

Trainer : PADDY TWOMEY.
Trainer : PADDY TWOMEY.

Originally planning to run Noche Magica in the six furlong Group 2 Coventry Stakes at the Royal meeting, Paddy Twomey felt the colt may be seen to better effect over the shorter distance.

The Night Of Thunder colt was an impressive three-and-three-quarter length victor of a Cork maiden on soft to heavy ground over five furlongs. He showed good early speed in the Group 3 Marble Hill Stakes but was caught on the line by the fast-finishing Givemethebeatboys.

Twomey said: "He won well over five in Cork and he shows us that blistering speed.

"The Marble Hill was a fact-finding mission. He travelled and did everything right. He got to the front and just got nutted at the death.

"His mother (Pious Alexander) is a half-sister of Dandy Man and the family is all speed. I'd say we will go for the Norfolk.

"I was the most disappointed man at the Curragh but going forward, he probably did me a favour. I would have run him in the Coventry if he had won, but now we will go for the Norfolk."


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