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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Magical Steps gets nimble late on

Fri 23rd Aug 2013, 17:13

Magical Steps, right, gets on terms with SurrealMagical Steps, right, gets on terms with Surreal
© Photo Healy Racing

It was only in the last 100 yards that Magical Steps overcame Surreal at Wexford who had made a bold bid to land the opening fillies’ maiden from the front.

The three-year-old daughter of Giant’s Causeway was easy to back during the day drifting from 8/11 to 10/11 before going off at even money.

She was slowly away but then raced third behind Surreal and A Star Is Born The latter was off the bridle first in this extended mile contest but kept finding more under Joseph O’Brien.

As the three in the front rank came into the home straight Surreal kept up to her work and Fran Berry had to work to get Magical Steps past to win by half a length going away. Surreal (16/1) was three parts of a length in front of A Star Is Born who finished third of the six runners at 4/1.

Successful trainer Jessica Harrington said: "That's a relief. She has been placed a few times, and I'm delighted that she got her head in front. We will try and win another race with her now and maybe sneak a bit of black-type.

“I think her trip is a mile and one or a mile and two. It was probably a little sharp for her today on a track which wouldn't be ideal for her.”

Golden Saffron was a non-runner due to being injured. Joseph O’Brien put up a pound overweight on A Star Is Born.

Additional reporting by Donal Murphy

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.