Listed Magnolia Stakes Guide 2023

Belloccio returns after 122 days off the track following his class one listed success at Kempton last November, beating Purple Ribbon by a neck at 9/2. That followed a victory at the same course a month prior at class two level which marked a significant improvement from his previous form throughout 2021 and 2022.

He’s an inconsistent type who possesses ability to win races but hasn’t done it quite often enough yet. Bids for a hat-trick here, however, and must not be dismissed.

Foxes Tales has been running at the top level for a while, with some decent efforts not far behind the likes of Mostahdaf, Lord North and Solid Stone all coming in the last year or two. He last won back in 2021, in the Group Three Rose Of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock at 5/4 favourite and despite running some good races, is yet to win since.

Must be respected amongst these runners and Oisin Murphy is booked to ride for trainer Andrew Balding.

Tyrrhenian Sea is on the back off one of his career-best runs, finishing second to Group One Dubai Turf winner Lord North in the Group Three Winter Derby Stakes at Lingfield last time out in February this year. That was his best effort for a while, however.

That run must provide some encouragement for the five-year-old, who hasn’t tasted success since February last year and must not be dismissed off 105 for this contest.

16/1 outsider for this race, Savvy Victory comes here after finishing third of eight in a class one contest over 1m 2f at Newmarket last October, where Ottoman Fleet triumphed. That was his best run at this type of level having won at the likes of Goodwood (C2), and Pontefract (C4) at lower levels earlier in his career.

Goes off 101 here and while it may be a surprise to see him winning here, there is not too much of a gap in ratings throughout the field and it should be a competitive contest.

Four-year-old colt for James Horton who finished seventh of 11 in the Class One Doonside Cup Stakes at Ayr on his last run in September last year. That was first foray into class one company having won at class five and class two level and that run can be excused.

He needed that experience of the step up and should improve on the back of that run, although it may not be enough to challenge for victory against some more experienced runners at this level.

Filly for Tom Clover who arrives here after 176 days off the track since her last of 13 finish in the Newmarket Pony Academy Pride Stakes over 1m 2f. She won a class one race at Lingfield last May but hasn’t managed to replicate that winning form since despite a second at Newcastle in June last year providing promise.

Difficult to back after her last two outings and it would be a surprise to see her winning this.

Four-year-old gelding for the duo of Charlie Appleby and William Buick who arrives here on the back of finishing sixth in a class one listed event at Ascot in September, having won four races in 2022 at Chester, Nottingham, Royal Ascot and Goodwood. That sixth followed a second-place finish in a group two race at York in August and must enter calculations here if rediscovering his winning touch, slightly down in trip at 1m 1f.

With Buick on board, he should be there or thereabouts in what shapes up to be a good race.