Magician of Riga

His two victories came at Wolverhampton in early April and Southwell five months ago, both on normal ground conditions, and that surface suits him well — he has won 2 of his 6 races on fast, dry ground, a 33 percent win rate that dwarfs his form elsewhere. The horse clearly prefers honest racing on a proper surface, and his trainer Richard Hannon — whose Wiltshire yard has already sent out 118 winners this season — clearly knows how to use that advantage. Sean Levey, the jockey who rides him most often, has partnered Magician of Riga five times and won twice, a 40 percent success rate that suggests they work well together. With his last outing just a day ago and his recent form showing two wins in his last six, he is very much an active proposition and clearly in work towards something. On normal ground with Levey in the saddle, there is every reason to think another victory is not far away.