CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL G1 GLORY FOR DR MASSINI

16th March 2007

Massini's Maguire (6g Dr Massini - Molly Maguire by Supreme Leader) held on in a great finish to take the G1 Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle on day two of the Cheltenham Festival to give his sire Dr Massini another top-level victory.

Philip Hobbs' charge was leading home a 1-2 for Coolmore stallions in the G1 event with the fast finishing Tidal Bay (6g Flemensfirth - June's Bride by Le Moss) in second for trainer Howard Johnson.

Massini's Maguire, who was bred by G Quirk, was bought for owner Alan Peterson by agent Aiden Murphy for 200,000gns at Doncaster's Spring Sale in 2005.

"We bought him nearly two years ago with the aim of going chasing and, luckily last year he didn't win his novice, getting an injury to keep his novice status this season. He will go chasing and probably get three miles," said Hobbs.

Winning jockey Richard Johnson added: "He's done it really well and produced it on the right day. The run-in seemed a very, very long way. You always want the winning post to come when you're in front up this hill.

"We've ended up making nearly all and he's a real, brave little horse. He's won twice round here now and seems to love the hill."

Howard Johnson - who bought the John Dorgan-bred runner-up Tidal Bay for 300,000gns on behalf of owner Graham Wylie at Doncaster last year - was disappointed not to win.

"He came up the hill well and in another five yards would have had the winner," rued Johnson.