Magical Could Reroute to Tattersalls Gold Cup

Magical remains one of 10 entries for Aidan O'Brien in the Tattersalls Gold Cup (G1) at the Curragh July 26 and the master trainer said it is possible she could show up there rather than tackle Enable again in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes (G1) a day earlier, although a final decision will not be made until July 22.

The Tattersalls Gold Cup, usually part of the Guineas fixture in May, is notorious for its small fields, but recent trends look like they will be altered on Sunday after 21 horses remained in the group 1 at Tuesday's five-day forfeit stage.

There were just five runners in the race on five occasions in the last decade, while Al Kazeem beat three rivals when winning the race for the first time in 2013.

Magical won the five-runner event last year by seven lengths at odds of 2-7, but is likely to face a much bigger field and sterner competition if that is the route O'Brien chooses for her this weekend.

"It's possible Magical could wait for the Tattersalls Gold Cup on Sunday, but not definite. Everything is up in the air at the moment and we will make plans for everything on Wednesday, including what jockeys we might use at Ascot on Saturday," O'Brien said. "All the horses will do their last main piece of work on Wednesday morning."

Last year's Investec Derby (G1) winner Anthony Van Dyck remains a possible for the Tattersalls Gold Cup, as does runaway 2019 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (G1) victor Sovereign, while Japan, Magic Wand, and Tiger Moth were others to be left in the race by O'Brien.

O'Brien, unsurprisingly, is the most successful trainer in the race's history with eight victories and the biggest challenge to him making that nine could come from the Kevin Prendergast-trained Madhmoon.

The Hughie Morrison-trained Telecaster is the sole British-based entry, while last year's runaway Comer Group International Irish St. Leger (G1) winner Search For A Song also remains in the race.