A Magic performance

An 11-year-old proves age is just a number, a couple of races end in dead heats and an impressive victor makes his mark

- LUCY ELDER

Yorkshire Area Point-to-Point Club, Sheriff Hutton, N Yorks

PREMIER MAGIC made a spellbinding seasonal debut to land victory in the men's open as connections eye a return to Cheltenham for the defence of his Foxhunter title.

The 11-year-old, trained and ridden by Bradley Gibbs, was sent off 1/4 favourite and came home 10 lengths clear of his nearest challenger, Torygraph (ridden by James King), to extend his unbeaten streak to six.

The original plan had been for Julian Sherriff's Court Cave gelding to start his campaign at Chaddesley Corbert just after Christmas, but with that meeting a casualty of the wet winter, connections rerouted to Yorkshire.

"I took the cheekpieces back off him today," said Bradley. "I probably hit the front too soon on him and he had a good look at the last, which he always does if he's in front going to the last. But he quickened away, put it to bed and really galloped to the line."

The pair were 66/1 when they tasted Cheltenham Festival glory in 2023, holding on up the hill to add their names to the roll of honour in the St James's Place Festival Hunters' Chase (formerly known as the Foxhunter Chase).

Bradley confirmed that all being well, a return to the Festival is the aim.

"You'd never think he was 11- if you rode him at home, you'd think he was a three-year-old," he said. "He really enjoys his work and loves going racing. I took him out of his stable today, he dragged me to the lorry and loaded himself. I couldn't be happier with him, age is only a number."

PATIENCE PAYS OFF

WILLIAM EASTERBY celebrated in front of a home crowd when taking the second division of the no-weight-forage maiden. William and the six-year-old Champs Elysees son Rue Galilee crossed the line two-and-a-half lengths ahead of favourite Gabrielle De Balon. It was also the first point-topoint winner for the yard's racing club.