Magic gamble for Martin in Midlands His dam Inch Rose finished second in the four miler at the Cheltenham festival in 2000, and Phil's Magic inherited that stamina to land a last gasp success in tonight's Midlands National Handicap Chase at Kilbeggan. Definite Soldier was still in front when falling three out in the three mile one furlong event, and from the next it looked like Noel Meade might have the first two with Net D'Ecosse (third eventually) and Tulsa Jack (fourth this time after winning the big prize last year) battling it out. Mrs Boss Man arrived with what looked like a winning run from the last, but up the inner Phil's Magic (a half-brother to dual Kilbeggan victor The Book Thief) got there in time to prevail by a head under Donagh Meyler. This was Phil's Magic's (6/1 into 7/2 on track, and from bigger earlier) third outing for Tony Martin after joining him from the now retired Sandra Hughes. Meyler and Martin go back a long way and the Kilkenny native actually registered his first ever winner for the County Meath handler, on Anibale Fly at Navan in March 2015. "It was great — I was relieved to hear the result that it went our way. With the luck we've had I was sure we'd be the wrong side of the head," said Martin. "He's just improved all the time — he's a nice horse, jumps away safe and gallops away. Lucky enough a nice race like that came his way. "He was staying on well from the last in Limerick and we put the (cheek) pieces on him to see if they would help him a bit earlier (in the race). "Fortunately enough everything worked out right and our jockey was excellent on him. "He popped him out sharp and smart down the inner and was holding his position fifth or sixth down the rail. "That's a couple of races in a fortnight — we'll see now how he is in a week or ten days. There's no firm plans but he could go to Galway." J.J. Burke, rider of Marchese Marconi trained by Joseph Patrick O'Brien, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount lost its action and would appreciate an ease in the ground. (GC & EM)
