Gibbs Putting Two in the Ring at Tattersalls March Sale

Less than a week since steering Premier Magic to a 66-1 victory in the Hunters' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, it is back to normality for Bradley Gibbs as he consigns two lots to the Tattersalls Ascot March Sale. 

Wales-born Gibbs also trains Premier Magic, whom he rode to a 1 3/4-length success at Prestbury Park to record the longest SP winner of the festival. He has had little time to rest on his laurels given the need to prepare for the March 22 sale. 

The first lot to go through the Ascot ring for Gibbs, who consigns through his Millstone Stables, is Purple Aki (Lot 91), a son of the late Champs Elysees who scored on his only start at Larkhill late last month. 

The 5-year-old has a nice page, too, being out of the high-class Aintree listed bumper winner Legacy Gold. A daughter of Gold Well, the 15-year-old is from the family of Clonmel Oil Chase winner and multiple grade 1-placed performer Mossbank, second to the mighty Denman in the Lexus Chase in 2007. 

Gibbs said: "Purple Aki has had the one run, having bought him from the Ascot Sale last May. He was a 4-year-old when we got him but he got the hang of things quickly enough, he was impressive and felt very nice the day he won. 

"He could be a nice one for the future as he has a nice page, and his mother won a listed bumper at Aintree."

Gibbs offers another interesting prospect in Melusine de Pail (Lot 94), a staying daughter of Creachadoir out of a winning full-sister to French listed-placed hurdler Queen Maresca. A winner over three miles at Buckfastleigh this month, the 5-year-old has thrived since running overstaying trips, according to her consignor. 

Gibbs said: "We ran her the first day in a bumper, and she ran well in it, and then we went over 2 1/2 miles. She was a bit slow for that trip and then Freddie Mitchell rode her and told me to step her up in trip. 

"We ran her over three at Chipley Park and she was going to win before falling at the last, but then she won nicely the next time she ran. She just needed that trip."

As for festival flyer Premier Magic, Gibbs, now based in Lemsford, Hertfordshire, added that he is eyeing up a tilt at either Punchestown or Cheltenham's hunter chase meeting. 

The Tattersalls Ascot March Sale begins at 11 a.m. March 22, and also features a typically strong draft from Godolphin and horses from the yards of Gary Moore, Roger Teal, Dan Skelton, Hughie Morrison, and Harry Fry, among others.

Godolphin's team includes Ridge Hill (Lot 96), an unraced Dubawi  full brother to Hardwicke Stakes winner Dartmouth; the recent Southwell winner Uncle Matthew (Lot 25); and the once-raced 3-year-old gelding Isle of Jura (Lot 64). 

Recent Tattersalls Ascot graduates include Skyace, who cost Shark Hanlon just £600 from the November 2019 auction before winning a grade 1 at Fairyhouse and then going through the ring again at the March Sale here 12 months ago, when hammered down to TJ McDonald for £80,000.